Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) meets with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Utkur Tukhtamuradovich Sultanov in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 22, 2004.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) shakes hands with Kazakh Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 22, 2004.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) meets with Tajik Deputy Prime Minister Asdulo Gulom in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 22, 2004.

On September 22, 2004, Heads of governments of China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan on Wednesday reaffirmed their readiness to cooperate in fighting terrorism, extremism and separatism.

This came when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met separately with Kazakh Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov, Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Utkur Tukhtamuradovich Sultanov and Tajik Deputy Prime Minister Asdulo Gulomof. They are here to attend the third meeting of prime ministers from member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Wen and the other heads of government extensively exchanged views on such focal issues as strengthening bilateral trade and fighting terrorism. They pointed out that China and the three countries all treat the development of bilateral ties from a strategic perspective and plan accordingly, thus laying a solid foundation for all-round cooperation.

The heads of government expressed the willingness to strengthen cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, energy, resources, communications, telecommunications and investment and to push forward construction of large projects so as to lift their bilateral trade to new levels.

All the government leaders agreed that the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism is the common task faced by every country and is in the interests of all countries concerned. They agreed to strengthen cooperation in this respect.

At the same time, all the leaders agreed to conduct closer cooperation in cracking down on drug trafficking, weapon smuggling and transnational crimes so as to create a sound environment of peace and stability for all the countries in the region.

The government leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistanall said their countries will firmly adhere to the one-China policy and support China's cause of reunification.

When meeting with Akhmetov, Wen said the expansion of energy cooperation will bring benefits to both China and Kazakhstan. Wen said the two sides should adopt a long-term vision and continue to deepen cooperation.

Akhmetov said Kazakhstan will provide preferential policies for Chinese companies participating in the oil and natural gas cooperation in his country. He said Kazakhstan will adopt measures to ensure that the Kazakhstan-China oil pipeline complete on schedule.

In his meeting with Sultanov, Wen suggested that China and Uzbekistan should implement large-scale cooperative projects so as to promote the all-round development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Sultanov said the two countries should further strengthen cooperation in the development of oil and natural gas resources.

During his meeting with Gulomof, Wen suggested that China and Tajikistan should focus on improving the environment for trade and investment and strengthen cooperation in the development of infrastructure.

Gulomof expressed the wish that Chinese enterprises will take part in the construction projects such as road in Tajikistan. He welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and set up operations in Tajikistan.

On Wednesday, Wen also met with Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Zhang Deguang and V. T. Casymov, director of the executive committee of the Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure, and pledged continued support for the two permanent bodies of the SCO.

Wen is here on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan and to attend the third meeting of prime ministers from the SCO member states, which is scheduled for Thursday.