TASHKENT, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyaev agreed here Friday to enhance security cooperation between their countries to safeguard peace and stability.

China is willing to deepen cooperation with Uzbekistan in law enforcement and defense, and to set up a security mechanism for major cooperation projects at an early date, Li said when meeting Mirziyaev.

Li is currently in the Uzbek capital for the 12th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, which is to be held later Friday.

The Chinese leader called for joint efforts to crack down on the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, including the "East Turkistan" forces, to safeguard peace, stability and tranquility in the two countries and the region at large.

For his part, Mirziyaev hailed China as a great neighbor, a sincere friend and a reliable partner of Uzbekistan, pledging Tashkent's efforts in strengthening security cooperation with Beijing to fight the "three evil forces" to guarantee regional peace, stability and prosperity.

During the meeting, Li lauded the ever-deepening mutual political trust, frequent high-level exchanges and fruitful cooperation between the two countries, and said Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Uzbekistan in September had brought the strategic partnership to a new stage.

There is a solid foundation for pragmatic cooperation between China and Uzbekistan, and their confidence and willingness for cooperation have been increasing, Li said, calling on both sides to give full play to the inter-governmental cooperation committee to achieve more mutually beneficial cooperation.

Efforts should be made to promote trade and investment, the Chinese premier said, listing finance, agriculture and infrastructure construction -- such as railway and highway building -- as areas for further cooperation.

He also put emphasis on new energy cooperation in fields such as the photovoltaic industry, and urged more local-level exchanges.

Mirziyaev said his country stands ready to work with China to implement the consensus and cooperation agreements reached by leaders of both sides, and to expand cooperation in energy, economy and trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges.

After their meeting, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of documents on bilateral cooperation in such fields as trade, energy and culture.

Related:

Chinese premier concludes Romania trip with enhanced ties

BUCHAREST, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang wrapped up his Romania visit Thursday, after meeting with top Romanian politicians over bilateral cooperation and sitting down with leaders of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries for an annual summit.

His tightly scheduled trip, which included a round-table leaders' meeting with the CEE leaders and a trade forum, also saw a number of documents signed between China and CEE countries, including an agreement to build a railway linking Budapest and Belgrade.Full story

Chinese premier meets Romanian president on cooperation

BUCHAREST, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Romanian President Traian Basescu pledged here on Wednesday to boost practical cooperation between their countries.

China and Romania enjoy a profound friendship and have always supported each other on issues of their core interests and major concerns, which laid a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations, Li said when meeting with the Romanian president.Full story

Chinese premier makes four-point proposal on deepening ties with Romania

BUCHAREST, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday made a four-point proposal to step up the comprehensive, friendly and cooperative partnership between China and Romania.

Addressing a full audience in the Parliament Palace, Li, who arrived in Bucharest on Monday for his first visit to the central and eastern Europe as premier, said China and Romania boast a lasting traditional friendship.Full Story

Chinese premier calls for closer China-Romania parliamentary exchanges

BUCHAREST, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday proposed that the legislatures of his country and Romania boost exchanges and cooperation so as to help pass on the bilateral friendship from generation to generation.

Although China and Romania are far apart, they enjoy a time-honored profound friendship, treat each other equally, and have amicable relations between their peoples, Li said when meeting with President of the Senate Crin Antonescu.Full Story