The leaders of Uzbekistan and China discussed issues of further strengthening all-weather strategic partnership

The President of Uzbekistan expressed sincere gratitude to the President of China for his strong support for irreversible reforms in Uzbekistan and for his special attention to strengthening friendly relations and an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China.

The leaders stated that a decisive breakthrough has been made in all areas of bilateral interaction in recent years.

The consistent implementation of the agreements reached during the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to China in January this year was noted with particular satisfaction.

Contacts at the level of governments, parliaments, foreign policy, and industry agencies have significantly intensified.

By the end of the year, the second meeting of the Strategic Dialogue of Foreign Ministers is planned to be held in the city of Tashkent. A high-ranking Chinese parliamentary delegation is expected to visit Uzbekistan soon.

Trade, economic, and investment cooperation are developing dynamically.

Trade turnover reached $14 billion last year. Opportunities were noted to increase this figure to $20 billion in the near future.

The current portfolio of investment projects exceeds $50 billion. Since the beginning of the year, more than $3 billion of Chinese investments have been attracted to Uzbekistan, and over 500 new joint ventures have been created.

An agreement was reached to accelerate the adoption of strategic cooperation programs in infrastructure, industrial cooperation, agriculture, and green energy.

The recent launch of the Uzbekistan – China Technology Park and the first in our region production of electric vehicles “BYD” in Jizzakh region were noted with satisfaction.

Partnerships with leading Chinese financial institutions are being enhanced. Thus, an Investment Platform has been created with the Silk Road Fund, and with the assistance of the Export-Import Bank of China, the construction of the Olympic Village in Tashkent is being completed. A regional branch of this bank is expected to open in Tashkent.

The intensification of interregional exchanges was highly assessed. Since the beginning of the year, the heads of all regions of Uzbekistan have visited China several times. Delegations from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the provinces of Anhui, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Shaanxi, and Shanghai have also visited Uzbekistan. Trading houses were opened in Beijing, Urumqi, and several other cities.

Plans have been outlined for holding the second Forum of Regions next year.

The President of Uzbekistan noted the support of the President of the People’s Republic of China in matters of practical interaction in poverty alleviation. A long-term program to exchange experience in this important area was proposed.

The importance of starting practical work early on the construction of the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway, which is strategic for strengthening transport connectivity and the region’s development within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, was emphasized.

Views were also exchanged on current issues of the regional and international agenda. The Uzbek side’s unchanged position on supporting the “One China” policy and combating the “three forces of evil” was confirmed.

Close interaction will continue within the framework of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the “Central Asia – China” format, and other international and regional structures.

The President of Uzbekistan wished the Leader of the People’s Republic of China great success during his presidency in the SCO.

The need to build partnerships in tourism, science, education, personnel training, and the study of the Chinese language was noted.

The Forum of Confucius Institutes in Central Asia will be held in Tashkent these days. Plans have been outlined to open branches of Chinese universities in Uzbekistan and widely introduce the Chinese system of vocational education – “Lu Ban Workshop”. It was proposed to hold the Second Educational Forum next year.

Following the talks, the President of Uzbekistan invited the President of the People’s Republic of China to visit the country.

The meeting took place in a traditionally confidential, open, and friendly atmosphere.