On June 7, 2012, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Uzbek President Islam Karimov, who is here in China for a visit and to attend the SCO summit.

Xi said that in the year of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his counterpart Karimov jointly announced the establishment of China-Uzbekistan strategic partnership, which has far-reaching influence on the development of bilateral ties. The Chinese side is willing to join hands with Uzbekistan and take the opportunity of the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership and the celebration of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties to comprehensively deepen cooperation in various fields and promote development of the ties with Uzbekistan.

Xi said China and Uzbekistan have built a long-term and win-win strategic partnership, which creates new opportunities and new demands for bilateral pragmatic cooperation. Both sides should tap potential, expand cooperation fields, and improve cooperation levels. Xi stressed that the two countries should speed up the implementation of China-Uzbekistan long-term trade agreement and currency swap agreement, advance non-resource and high-tech cooperation and explore cooperation in new energy and clean energy, so as to create a new cooperation situation suited to their strategic partnership.

Xi also pointed out that Uzbekistan is an important member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and a big power in the region as well as China's strategic partner. "China is willing to work with Uzbekistan to promote the development of the SCO in a healthy way, and deepen pragmatic cooperation with other member states, as well as benefit the people in those states," Xi said.

Karimov said he was very glad to meet Vice President Xi. "What makes Uzbekistan proud during the past 20 years is that both countries started a new era in the development of bilateral relations in such a short period of time," said Karimov. Karimov said the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries was a strategic decision announced by the two presidents. It shows that both sides have followed the trend of the times, and Uzbekistan has confidence in China's development prospects. "It is a diplomatic priority of Uzbekistan to develop relations with China. Under the new circumstances, Uzbekistan is willing to further strengthen comprehensive cooperation with China, and boost the development of bilateral relations," Karimov said.