On June 1-2 of this year, the city of Samarkand, one of the ancient centers of the Great Silk Road, hosted an important international event – the second interregional forum between Uzbekistan and China.
Within the framework of the forum, prestigious delegations from various regions of both countries discussed strengthening mutual relations, implementing joint projects, and prospects for future cooperation.
On the final day of the event, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, held a high-level meeting with Shen Yueyuye, Deputy Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Committee for Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Before the meeting, Ms. Shen Yueyuye requested to convey the sincere greetings and best wishes of the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and the Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Wang Huning, to the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. She noted that this would be an important impetus for the further development of close cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries.
As emphasized during the meeting, today the relations between Uzbekistan and China have reached a high level of comprehensive strategic partnership. The main reason for this is the sincere relations and political will of the leaders of both countries.
The head of the Chinese delegation reaffirmed his country’s continued comprehensive and firm support for Uzbekistan's policies aimed at ensuring independence, territorial integrity, and national interests.
At the same time, the Chinese side expressed that it sees Uzbekistan as the most important trade and economic partner in Central Asia. Currently, there are more than 3,700 enterprises with Chinese capital operating in Uzbekistan. This plays a significant role in the mutual integration of the economies of both countries.
During the forum, agreements were reached on the implementation of new promising joint projects in areas such as infrastructure, industrial cooperation, agriculture, and "green" energy. In particular, it was noted that the visa-free regime that came into effect on June 1 of this year would further deepen cooperation between the business circles of the two countries and increase the flow of tourists.
Within the framework of the second interregional forum, a number of important agreements were signed between various regions of Uzbekistan and China. These agreements are aimed at expanding trade and economic relations, increasing the number of joint projects, and improving the quality of ongoing projects.
At the same time, cultural and humanitarian ties between the two countries are also developing. According to the Chinese side, mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and cooperation in the field of science between the two peoples will reach even higher levels.
During the meeting, views were also exchanged on further expanding and modernizing relations in the field of transport and logistics. In particular, prospects for expanding China-Uzbekistan transport corridors and creating new routes to Europe through Central Asia were discussed.
Additionally, plans are underway to expand relations between scientific research institutes in Uzbekistan and leading scientific centers in China, as well as to elevate cooperation in the field of education to a higher level.
As emphasized by the leaders of both countries, the deepening of relations between Uzbekistan and China will contribute significantly not only to the peoples of the two countries but also to the development of the entire region.
Thus, the second interregional forum held in Samarkand opened a new chapter in the history of cooperation between the two countries and laid a solid foundation for the further expansion of future prospects. This, in turn, will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the well-being and economic development of both peoples.
