China intends to coordinate its development strategies with Uzbekistan and intensify interaction in areas such as energy, natural resources, artificial intelligence, and modern agriculture. This was stated by Chinese Premier Li Qiang during meetings with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov in Tashkent on October 17, according to the Xinhua agency.
One of the priority areas for cooperation will be the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway line. Li emphasized Beijing's readiness to work with Tashkent to strengthen financial and infrastructural connectivity, ensuring the quality implementation of the project to achieve more tangible results.
Furthermore, China is ready to increase imports of high-quality and specialized products from Uzbekistan. Premier Li called on the Uzbek side to actively use the China International Import Expo to promote its products in the Chinese market.
According to the Chinese Premier, the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in August defined the future course of bilateral relations. In 2027, both countries will mark 35 years since establishing diplomatic relations, and Beijing plans to use this occasion to strengthen traditional friendship, deepen political trust, and expand practical cooperation.
Li also proposed strengthening the use of the visa-free entry agreement, increasing travel between the two countries, and expanding cultural, tourism, educational, youth, and interregional exchanges. He noted that such efforts will help strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
China is ready to improve coordination with Uzbekistan within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the China-Central Asia mechanism, and the United Nations. Li highlighted the importance of joint actions in implementing four global initiatives, promoting a multipolar world based on equality and order, and developing inclusive globalization.
In turn, Aripov highly praised China's achievements in development and thanked Beijing for supporting reforms and transformations in the country. He stated that bilateral relations are reaching new heights under the joint leadership of the heads of state. Aripov confirmed Uzbekistan's readiness to facilitate the full implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project and other initiatives under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The sides intend to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, mining, customs, finance, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and environmental protection. The development of tourism and educational exchanges, strengthening interregional ties, and coordinating positions in multilateral forums are also planned.
Before the negotiations, Li and Aripov watched video presentations on the practical cooperation of the two countries in various sectors. After the meeting, the sides participated in a ceremony to sign documents on cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, education, customs, healthcare, and poverty reduction. Additional documents concerning e-commerce, climate issues, and media were signed during the visit.
On Saturday afternoon, Li laid a wreath at the Monument of Independence.
