Chinese FM: China respects choice of Uzbek people

Answering to the question on elections in Uzbekistan, she said that the presidential election in Uzbekistan was held successfully, and the initial voting result shows that President Karimov was re-elected.

She recalled that President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory message to President Karimov, and talked to President Karimov on the phone yesterday to send his congratulations.

“China respects the choice made by the Uzbek people, and supports Uzbekistan in pursuing a development path that suits its own national realities. We believe that Uzbekistan can maintain political stability and economic development, and play a bigger role in international affairs,” spokeswoman said.

“China and Uzbekistan are strategic partners, and the China-Uzbekistan relationship has been developing soundly and rapidly with a good momentum. China is willing to work with Uzbekistan to implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and move forward the bilateral relations,” she added.