Premier Li Keqiang said China will work with Uzbekistan to advance projects on production capacity cooperation and connectivity, when he met with his Uzbek counterpart Abdulla Aripov Thursday in Sochi, Russia.

The premier said both countries have maintained a long-term friendship and this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Uzbekistan. President Xi Jinping and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership when Mirziyoyev visited China in May, Li said.

The two economies can complement each other, and should strengthen linking their own development strategies and provide a good environment for companies from both nations, the premier said.

China is ready to strengthen exchanges and coordination under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Li added.

Aripov said China is a vital partner for Uzbekistan. His country will work with China to strengthen cooperation in fields such as transport infrastructure and hydropower. Uzbekistan highly values the constructive role China has played in building the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and is willing to boost exchanges under this framework, he added.