China and Uzbekistan on Tuesday vowed to join hands to further step up security cooperation in combating "three forces" of separatism, terrorism and extremism.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyaev in Beijing, saying that it is the common responsibility of both countries to fight "three forces" and maintain peace and security in the region.

Mirziyaev is in Beijing to the eighth prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states. The SCO groups China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Li hoped the two countries could enhance security cooperation within the SCO framework to create favorable environment for development and prosperity of both countries and the region.

The SCO has remained the momentum of stable development and become an important factor of stabilizing regional situation against the backdrop of global financial crisis, said Li, adding that China will work with Uzbekistan to make more contribution to comprehensive cooperation in various fields within the SCO framework.

Li also vowed to lift China-Uzbekistan ties to a new level by enhancing political mutual trust, expanding mutually-beneficial cooperation and stepping up coordination in international and regional affairs.

Mirziyaev said Uzbekistan would like to see further cooperation between the two countries in such areas as trade, agriculture, investment and energy.

Uzbekistan gives priority to security cooperation, fighting "three forces" and economic cooperation within the SCO framework, and will enhance cooperation with China in this regard, said Mirziyaev.