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Uzbek President Arrives in Beijing


Uzbek President Islam Karimov, right, inspects the Guard of honor alongside Chinese President Hu Jintao outside of Beijing's Great Hall of the People
China has welcomed embattled Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

Mr. Karimov arrived in Beijing Wednesday, a day after China voiced support for his regime's bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters.

The Chinese and Uzbek governments say Mr. Karimov's visit was planned long before the May 13 uprising in Uzbekistan's eastern city of Andijan.

President Karimov is facing harsh international criticism over the incident, which he blames on Muslim extremists. But he has found support in China, which fears Islamic militancy in the region could spread to its own territory.

The number of people who died in Andijan is in dispute. The Uzbek government says 169 were killed but rights groups say many more people died.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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