BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- State Councilor Meng Jianzhu said Thursday that China and Uzbekistan should cooperate to safeguard the security and stability of the two countries as well as that of the region.

Meng, who is also the minister of public security, told visiting Uzbek Vice Interior Minister Adkham Akhmedbaev that the two ministries have carried out active, practical and efficient cooperation.

The two sides have achieved rich results in cooperation on combating forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, fighting cross-border crimes, protecting the natural gas pipeline, conducting joint investigations and law enforcement training and developing police equipment, Meng said.

He expressed the hope that the two sides could seize the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of forging official links to further advance exchanges and cooperation.

Akhmedbaev said the Uzbek Interior Ministry is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with the Chinese side on deepening cooperation on law enforcement and security.