The state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to China on January 23-25 and the bilateral negotiations with the President of China Xi Jinping and other officials aroused unprecedented interest in all segments of the Chinese media and expert circles. And this is no coincidence. It became “a meeting of old good friends", Zhang Han, an authoritative Global Times newspaper analyst, noted briefly and succinctly.

According to leading experts in China, this visit of the Leader of Uzbekistan to China indeed became historic in all respects. The Uzbekistan – China summit distinguished itself both in its substantive depth and in the vast geography of several significant events held in various metropolises of the country – Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Urumqi.

First, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Xi Jinping, by signing the Joint Statement, brought bilateral relations to the level of an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in a new era. Commenting on this event, the central Chinese newspaper People’s Daily quoted the statement of Chinese Leader Xi Jinping that “32 years ago, Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian country to establish diplomatic relations with China. The peoples of the two countries carry the spirit of the Silk Road, and the friendship between China and Uzbekistan has taken deep roots and is actively developing”.

The President of the People’s Republic of China noted, “Over the past seven-plus years, we have been working together to establish healthy and prosperous bilateral cooperation in various fields. Building more meaningful and dynamic relations between China and Uzbekistan is the common aspiration of the peoples of both countries”.

A fundamentally new level of relations between China and Uzbekistan provides the broadest range of practical cooperation in virtually all areas and directions. Among them are politics, security, economics, trade, investment, technology, transport, traditional and new energy, innovation, environmental protection, culture, science, education, tourism, and many others.

Second, during this visit, special attention was paid to the issues of strengthening the economic foundation of the bilateral partnership. In this context, the Uzbekistan – China Investment Forum in Shenzhen became a historical event, the opening ceremony attended by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Commenting on the results of the forum in Shenzhen, an expert of the Silk Road Research Center, Guo Xiaojun, noted that representatives of more than 600 large companies in the two countries participated in this event. According to her, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s speech deeply impressed the forum participants. There is no doubt that the majority of its participants have significantly increased interest in cooperation with Uzbekistan.

Indeed, the results of this forum turned out to be impressive. Thus, as a result, a solid package of investment agreements and contracts in various fields was signed.

Moreover, promising plans for cooperation have been outlined during meetings of the Leader of Uzbekistan with the heads of the largest Chinese companies, such as CNPC, CITIC Group, China Southern Power Grid, SANY Renewable Energy, as well as the Exim Bank of China, the Silk Road Fund and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

During a visit to the headquarters and technology center of the BYD company, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the launch ceremony of a project to assemble hybrid and electric cars in Jizzakh region. This event can be considered historical. First, this demonstrated the productivity of cooperation between the two countries within the framework of implementing the Green Silk Road concept.

On the other hand, this facility will be the first plant to produce electric vehicles in Central Asia and the CIS countries. 

Third, one of the major events held as part of the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to China was the Uzbekistan – China Interregional Forum in Urumqi.

This event, in addition to the heads of the regions of the two countries, was attended by representatives of more than 1,200 companies ready for the most active cooperation in a wide variety of areas of interaction. On the same day, the “Made in Uzbekistan” exhibition opened at the International Exhibition Center, demonstrating the achievements and export potential of each region of Uzbekistan in various industries.

The leaders of the regions of the two states exchanged the results of the work carried out in interregional cooperation, discussed in detail, and outlined ways for further development of interaction in trade, investment, economics, energy, transport, and cultural and humanitarian ties.

Leading expert of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Su Chang expressed confidence that this forum has become an effective platform for implementing essential agreements between the heads of the two states reached during the negotiations. The regions of Uzbekistan and China have found a formula for direct, productive dialogue and interaction.

The forum demonstrated the high dynamics of interregional cooperation, which received new impetus. Last year, all hokims of Uzbekistan visited large provinces of China.

The leaders of several regions of China made return visits: Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Hubei, and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The result of active interregional contacts was the signing of 27 joint documents during the forum on the development of cooperation between the regions of Uzbekistan and China.

Fourth, as part of the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to China, the Uzbekistan – China Educational Forum was held for the first time. The event was attended by rectors of 37 leading higher education institutions in Uzbekistan and 110 universities in China.

Following the event, the Beijing Declaration was adopted, designed to enhance further cooperation between the two countries in education and training. 75 bilateral documents were signed, including agreements on forming joint educational programs.

Commenting on this forum, the Deputy Director of the Eurasian Studies Center at Renmin University in Beijing, Liu Xueyi, noted that the rectors of Uzbekistan and Chinese universities exchanged views on modern methods of teaching youth science and humanities. The issues of using modern methods, including information technology and artificial intelligence in university management, were comprehensively discussed.

According to the Chinese expert, the forum has become a “cooperation bridge” between the two countries’ universities. There is no doubt that in the near future, this mechanism will have a multiplier effect, including improving the personnel training system.

Fifth, the Uzbekistan Culture Days was one of the most important events organized during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to China.

After the opening ceremony of the Uzbekistan Culture Days on January 22, a mesmerizing performance entitled “Lazgi. Dance of Soul and Love”, and on January 24, a concert of art masters of Uzbekistan, were held. An exhibition of fine and folk arts of Uzbekistan opened its doors in the Chinese capital.

It should be emphasized that these days, in another corner of China – the city of Shanghai – ceremonial cultural events were held on the 30th anniversary of sister city relations between Tashkent and Shanghai. A concert program of the “Bakhor” ensemble and a presentation of the tourism potential “Uzbekistan – the Pearl of the Silk Road” were organized as part of these celebrations. A significant result was signing the Cooperation Program between Tashkent and Shanghai for 2024-2026.

Sharing her impressions of a series of cultural events held in China, Li Yonghui, a professor at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, called them very symbolic. According to her, this once again emphasized the special attention of the Leader of Uzbekistan to the development of cultural and humanitarian exchanges between the two countries.

“Cultural exchanges bring people together and strengthen mutual understanding”, the expert said. “All this together creates a solid basis for further developing bilateral cooperation. A wide Chinese audience got acquainted with the rich culture of Uzbekistan. The fabulous ballet performance “Lazgi” and the bright concert of Uzbek artists left a deep, unforgettable impression on the audience”.

Uzbekistan and China are ancient states and civilizations that have maintained close cultural and humanitarian ties with each other for many centuries.

It would not be an exaggeration to note that several cultural events held during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to China gave another powerful impetus to the interaction and rapprochement of the two countries and peoples.

I. Abdumalikzoda, UzA