Premier Li Keqiang will depart on Nov 1 to attend the 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and pay an official visit to Uzbekistan. Later, he will attend a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation and pay an official visit to Thailand.

It is Premier Li's first official visit to Uzbekistan and second to Thailand following his first visit six years ago.

The 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO is vital for the implementation of agreements reached at the Bishkek Summit in June, the promotion of the pragmatic SCO cooperation, and improving ties between related countries.

In addition, Premier Li will also attend a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation, which will help promote regional economic integration, secure stability, boost co-prosperity and send positive signals in China’s pursuit of multilateralism, free trade, and joint efforts to construct an open global economy.