The visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to China began with bilateral negotiations with the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.

This state visit of the Leader of our state played an essential role in developing bilateral relations. Experts highlight the significant strengthening of socio-economic cooperation, which raises the all-round strategic partnership between the countries to a radically new level.

Thus, in recent years, the most favored nation treatment has been established in mutual trade. In 2022, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and China for the first time reached $9 billion, an increase of 20% compared to 2021. In the first quarter of this year, China has become the leading trading partner of Uzbekistan, with a total volume of $2.3 billion.

It should be noted that the parties pay special attention to developing investment cooperation. The total amount of Chinese investments in 2017-2022 amounted to about $11 billion, of which $2.2 billion was in 2022 alone.

2,141 companies are operating in Uzbekistan with the participation of Chinese capital, including 275 established in 2022, of which the largest are: Huawei, ZTE, Wenzhou Jinsheng Trading, JV Peng Sheng, Sinotruk, Heng Bang Textile Central Asia.

These dynamics in developing economic ties convincingly prove that the two friendly countries open new horizons for mutually beneficial cooperation every year.

It is important to emphasize that a Joint Statement was signed during the meeting between Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Xi Jinping. The parties also adopted the Program for the Development of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a New Era between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the People’s Republic of China for 2023-2027.

Undoubtedly, the Joint Statement and the Program will strengthen relations and mutual understanding and expand mutually beneficial practical cooperation in the trade and economic sphere.

During the visit, 41 documents worth $25 billion were signed, aimed at further deepening practical cooperation.

A significant part of the agreements was included in a full-scale program of investment and technological cooperation for the development of alternative energy, which provides for the construction of solar, wind, and hydroelectric power plants, the production of photovoltaic panels, electrical equipment, transformers, batteries, as well as digitalization of management and training of specialists in these areas.

The heads of the two countries also discussed the possibility of deepening cooperation in producing new-generation cars – launching modern plants for manufacturing electric vehicles and cars with hybrid engines.

In this direction, two agreements have been signed between the countries on producing modern cars with the EXEED company and electric and hybrid vehicles with the BYD Auto Industry company.

At the same time, the parties defined bilateral measures to unlock the potential for interaction between the regions of the two countries, including the transformation of Syrdarya region into a “territory of advanced innovations”.

The countries’ leaders also stressed the importance of the early start of practical work on constructing China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway, noting the completion of work on developing its feasibility study.

In this regard, the leaders signed a tripartite document providing the following steps to accelerate the implementation of this strategically important railway, including developing a detailed design, research, and definition of an investment and financing model.

At the same time, it is essential to highlight the participation of the Head of state at the exhibition dedicated to cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in industry, infrastructure development, agriculture, science, education, and innovation.

On the sidelines of the exhibition, a solemn ceremony of launching new joint projects was held in the format of a teleconference between the Chinese city of Xi'an, Syrdarya, Tashkent, Jizzakh, and Samarkand regions of our country.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev launched 15 joint ventures for producing cars and electric vehicles, building materials, a wide range of metal and rolled products, and medical supplies worth $3.3 billion by pressing a symbolic button.

As part of a state visit to the historic city of Xi'an, the Head of our state also took part in the First Summit of the Heads of State of Central Asia and China.

In his speech, the President of Uzbekistan indicated that the priority project for the revival of the Great Silk Road is the Trans-Eurasian Highway, the main components of which will be the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan highway and railway.

In the future, the implementation of this project and the construction of the Trans-Afghan Corridor will make it possible, within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, to connect China with the countries of South Asia by alternative routes.

At the same time, our Leader emphasized that the top priority is to ensure the coherence of national programs for the development of transport communications, which will allow us to develop a single long-term Strategy on this basis.

Along with this, the need was noted for establishing interaction between the leading think tanks of the six countries to develop strategic approaches, comprehensive recommendations, and solutions, breakthrough projects on a regional and global scale.

To this end, the President of Uzbekistan proposed to hold the first International Expert Conference on the issues of conjugation of national development strategies in Samarkand next year.

The Head of our state called for further formation of the New Economic Dialogue and strengthening connectivity, achieving a twofold increase in the trade turnover of the region’s countries with China by 2030.

It was proposed to ensure the implementation of this task through a balanced growth of mutual supplies of industrial goods and agricultural products, the creation of an effective trade and logistics infrastructure and modern wholesale distribution networks, the introduction of green and express corridor systems, and common e-commerce platforms.

To create favorable conditions and a legal framework, it was proposed to consider adopting a Multilateral Agreement on Facilitating Mutual Trade and Encouragement of Investments.

The President drew attention to the fact that the issues of deepening industrial cooperation, attracting digital technologies, and introducing innovations can be effectively resolved through direct interregional contacts with the provinces of China.

It was proposed to hold a Forum and an exhibition of cities and regions of six countries this year in Uzbekistan to establish practical cooperation and strengthen twinning and partnership relations.

Following the meeting, the heads of six states signed the Xi'an Declaration of Central Asia – China Summit, which will further strengthen good neighborly relations and comprehensive cooperation.

The Xi'an Declaration notes that the parties confirm their desire to create a closer community of common destiny between Central Asia and China and express their willingness to improve the quality and level of trade and economic cooperation, consistently promote mutual business, promote the diversification of the structure of trade turnover and constantly simplify trade procedures.

The practical implementation of these initiatives and agreements will undoubtedly strengthen economic cooperation, expand trade, and attract additional investment in various areas, which will help create new jobs and, ultimately, improve the population’s living conditions.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the agreements reached following the visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to China once again prove the serious and resolute attitude of all friendly countries of Central Asia and China to deepen further the future development of relations for the prosperity of nations and peoples.

Shavkat Alimbekov,

Leading Researcher at the International Institute for Central Asia