Uzbekistan and China Strengthen Economic and Cultural Ties
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of China Xi Jinping Discuss Bilateral Cooperation
During a working visit to the city of Astana on July 3, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, to discuss and strengthen the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
The meeting began with Mirziyoyev expressing gratitude to President Xi for his support of Uzbekistan’s reforms and the growing bilateral cooperation between the two nations. Both leaders acknowledged the significant progress made in various sectors following the agreements reached during President Mirziyoyev’s visit to China earlier this year.
Trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and China have been rapidly expanding, with the trade turnover reaching $14 billion last year. Plans are in place to increase this figure to $20 billion in the near future. Additionally, the current portfolio of investment projects exceeds $50 billion, with Chinese investments in Uzbekistan amounting to over $3 billion this year alone.
Both countries have agreed to accelerate strategic cooperation programs in infrastructure, industrial cooperation, agriculture, and green energy sectors. The recent launch of the Uzbekistan-China Technopark in the Jizzakh region and the production of BYD electric vehicles in the region mark significant milestones in this partnership.
Furthermore, interregional exchanges have been strengthened, with leaders from various regions of Uzbekistan visiting China and vice versa. Plans are in place to hold the second Regions Forum next year to further enhance regional cooperation.
President Mirziyoyev also highlighted the importance of cooperation in fighting poverty and proposed a long-term program for experience exchange in this area. Both leaders emphasized the strategic importance of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway for enhancing transport connectivity and regional development within the “One Belt, One Road” initiative.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues, with Uzbekistan reaffirming its support for the “One China” policy and its commitment to combating the “three evil forces”. Cooperation within international and regional structures will continue, including within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the “Central Asia-China” format.
President Mirziyoyev invited President Xi to visit Uzbekistan, highlighting the importance of expanding cooperation in tourism, science, education, and language learning. Plans are in place to host the Central Asian Confucius Institutes Forum in Tashkent and to open branches of Chinese higher education institutions in Uzbekistan.
Overall, the meeting between President Mirziyoyev and President Xi strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Uzbekistan and China, paving the way for further collaboration in various sectors in the future.
