The cooperation in all fields between Uzbekistan and China has been strengthened in recent years,which will help boost bilateral mutual trust and further cooperation, said Uzbek President Islam Karimov in a recent interview with major Chinese media.

Karimov said he was satisfied with the continued strengthening of bilateral contacts at all levels.

The agreement on the partnership of friendly cooperation between China and Uzbekistan signed last year is a milestone in the history of bilateral relations, he said, believing it would create favorable conditions for the ties' future development.

Uzbekistan, bearing the brunt of terrorism, separatism and religious extremism, shares same views with China on safeguarding regional security and stability, said the president.

The economic cooperation between the two countries has witnessed a rapid development in recent years, he added.

The potential for cooperation in economy, trade and financial investment is great, and it should be the common task of the two countries to expand and deepen cooperation in these areas, said Karimov.

He also stressed it was necessary for both countries to exchange information for better cooperation in such fields as science and technology, education, culture and tourism.

He expressed his belief that information exchanges and respect for each other's culture and history would help strengthen the mutual trust between the two peoples and consolidate the social basis of their partnership.

The president was interviewed ahead of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) scheduled for June 15 in Shanghai, China.

The SCO, founded in 2001, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The organization has accepted Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan and India as observers.