BEIJING (Reuters) -China on Wednesday upgraded its diplomatic ties with Uzbekistan and offered closer cooperation across a range of projects, including a Central Asia railway that would open up a new trade route as shippers shun an existing overland link via Russia. The two countries have elevated their ties to an "all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership" from a "comprehensive strategic partnership" previously, China's official news agency Xinhua reported, as Chinese President Xi Jinping met his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Beijing.

BEIJING (Reuters) -China on Wednesday upgraded its diplomatic ties with Uzbekistan and offered closer cooperation across a range of projects, including a Central Asia railway that would open up a new trade route as shippers shun an existing overland link via Russia.

The two countries have elevated their ties to an “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership” from a “comprehensive strategic partnership” previously, China’s official news agency Xinhua reported, as Chinese President Xi Jinping met his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Beijing.