China backs Uzbekistan president

Thursday May 26, 2005

Agencies in Beijing

China gave the president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, a red-carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute yesterday during a visit that cemented Beijing's support for the government two weeks after its deadly crackdown on protesters.

"Uzbekistan sees the People's Republic of China as a reliable partner and friendly neighbour," Mr Karimov told the Chinese president, Hu Jintao.

A day earlier, China declared its support for the Uzbek government, which has come under fire for a violent crackdown on demonstrators in the town of Andijan earlier this month.

Witnesses say more than 500 people were killed. Uzbek authorities say 169 died, most of them "bandits".

China said this was a domestic affair, but backed Mr Karimov's stand against "separatism, terrorism and extremism".