TASHKENT, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met separately with Erkin Halilov, speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Uzbek Supreme Assembly and Senate President Ilgizar Sabirov on Saturday.

Hailing the growth in bilateral relations, Wen said development of friendly cooperation between the two nations is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

China is ready to work with Uzbekistan to bring bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit to a new level, he said.

The Chinese premier also noted the close exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries in recent years, saying they have played "an irreplaceable role" in advancing bilateral relations as a whole.

Wen said China wishes to see increased exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' parliaments at various levels.

China is an important force for safeguarding regional peace and stability and promoting common prosperity, Halilov said. The Uzbek side appreciates the respect China has shown for the country's domestic and foreign policies and the Uzbek parliament favors a strengthening of friendly cooperation between the two countries, Halilov said.

Sabirov said Uzbekistan and China share identical or similar views on many major world and regional issues and there are no political differences between the two countries.

The Uzbek Senate is willing to work closely with the National People's Congress of China and continue to play its positive role in promoting bilateral relations, he said.

The Chinese premier arrived here on Friday for a two-day official visit to Uzbekistan.