During discussions of current issues, participants of the Uzbekistan – China International Conference in Tashkent exchanged views on a comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms Obid Hakimov:

– In recent years, Chinese investments in the economy of Uzbekistan have increased fivefold – to $14 billion, and the number of joint ventures has tripled and reached 2432 in our country. This accounts for 17.1 percent of all joint ventures with foreign capital.

Uzbekistan plans to double exports to $45 billion in the next seven years.

In 2023, our exports reached $24.4 billion, and the negative balance was $13.7 billion.

To achieve the goal set by the heads of the two states to increase trade volume to $20 billion, Uzbekistan is interested in a proportional increase in the supply of industrial and agricultural products, the formation of an effective trade and logistics infrastructure, the introduction of a modern distribution network, a green corridor system and the creation of an e-commerce platform.

Director of the Institute of Eurasian Studies of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Ding Xiaoxing:

– Uzbekistan and China have similar views and approaches to current issues on the international agenda, mainly to ensure global security. China fully supports the path of independent development of Uzbekistan and the large-scale reforms being carried out in the country.

The development of relations in accordance with the requirements of the time is closely related to the reliable and friendly dialogue established between the two countries’ leaders. Over the past seven years, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping have met regularly within the framework of multilateral summits, state, official, and working visits and held several telephone conversations, which contributed to raising long-standing friendly relations to an entirely new level.

Researcher at the Institute of Eurasian Studies Jin Xiaoyu:

– Youth is the main driving force of interaction between Uzbekistan and China in culture, education, science, archeology, and medicine. In the Joint Statement signed by the two countries’ leaders, “youth” is mentioned four times. It is proposed to strengthen the cooperation of friendly youth and actively develop exchanges between young scientists. China is ready to implement joint projects to increase youth’s innovative potential and expand entrepreneurship opportunities.

To achieve even greater youth activity in bilateral and multilateral cooperation, it is necessary to harmonize and coordinate policies in this direction.

For, as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev notes, “All roads are open to those who know both a craft and a foreign language”.

Interviewed by Gayrat Khonnazarov, photos by Rustam Nazarmatov, UzA