BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao starts to pay a two-day state visit to Uzbekistan Monday. The following are the major events in the relations between the two countries.

    Relations between the two countries improved in 1990s after China and Uzbekistan established diplomatic ties in January 1992.

    In March 1992, Uzbek President Islam Karimov visited China.

    In April 1994, Chinese Premier Li Peng paid an official visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of Karimov.

    In July 1996, Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited Uzbekistan,during which a joint declaration on bilateral relations and cooperation was signed.

    In November 1999, Karimov paid a state visit to China.

    In October 2000, the two countries signed an agreement on combating terrorism.

    In June 2001, Uzbekistan joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, hitherto the Shanghai Forum -- comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and signed the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism.

    In January 2002, the Chinese delegation headed by State Councilor Simayi Aimait visited Uzbekistan and met with Chairman of Uzbekistan Supreme Assembly Erkin Khalilov and Prime Minister Utekur Sultanov.

    In April 2002, the forth session of Sino-Uzbekistan Joint Economic and Trade Commission was held in Beijing. Ministers of Culture of Shanghai Cooperation Organization members held the first session in Beijing. Uzbek culture minister attended the meeting.

    In May 2003, Chinese President Hu Jintao held bilateral talks with Karimov during the Moscow Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Enditem