Chen Zhili, special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao, pledged here on Friday during talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov to further the country's ties with the central Asian country.

Chen, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), conveyed to Karimov greetings from Chinese President Hu and top legislator Wu Bangguo.

Relations between China and Uzbekistan have been developing steadily since the two sides forged diplomatic ties, she said.

(Source: Xinhua)