Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan and China hold a meeting
On October 17, a meeting was held between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov and the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang at the Palace of International Forums “Uzbekistan”, in Tashkent.
The talks focused on strengthening the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding trade, economic, investment, and technological cooperation.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov emphasized that relations between Uzbekistan and China have reached a qualitatively new level, noting that the high level of political trust and the friendly and cordial relations between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping play an important role in this progress.
China’s consistent support for the large-scale reforms underway in Uzbekistan was also greatly appreciated.
For his part, the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang emphasized that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China has steadily strengthened in recent years, with bilateral cooperation reaching a new level. He highlighted expanding ties in trade, investment, transportation and logistics, energy, and high technology.
The meeting also underscored the rapid growth of bilateral economic cooperation. Over the past five years, bilateral trade has tripled, reaching nearly $18 billion by the end of 2025. Foreign direct investment from China into Uzbekistan has also increased fivefold, reaching $17 billion in 2025.
Currently, more than 6,500 enterprises with Chinese capital operate in Uzbekistan. Major joint projects are underway in the automotive, energy, electrical engineering, chemical, and agricultural sectors, among others. Cooperation on the construction of the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway, the development of renewable energy sources, the establishment of modern industrial enterprises, and the introduction of digital technologies is particularly important.
During the talks, it was also announced that a decision had been made to name one of Tashkent’s streets after Beijing. The initiative was described as another expression of the strong friendship and mutual respect between the two peoples.
Following the meeting, bilateral memoranda of understanding were signed in several areas, including industry, energy, customs, healthcare, e-commerce, and mass media.
Utkir Alimov, photos by Otabek Mirsoatov, UzA
