BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 31. Uzbekistan and
China are targeting $30 billion in bilateral trade in the coming
years as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chinese President Xi
Jinping agreed to deepen economic, investment, infrastructure and
technology cooperation.
This was reflected in the statement by the press service of the
Uzbek president, following the talks on the sidelines of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek.
The leaders noted that bilateral relations have reached a new
level in recent years, with political dialogue expanding alongside
trade, investment, technology and cultural cooperation. The two
sides also agreed to continue strategic dialogue between their
foreign ministries and strengthen interparliamentary ties.
Trade and investment were central to the talks. Bilateral trade
approached $18 billion last year, and the leaders expressed
confidence in further growth. Uzbekistan proposed setting a new
target of $30 billion in bilateral trade in the coming years, with
efforts focused on increasing mutual supplies of industrial and
agricultural products and expanding the participation of Uzbek
companies in Chinese trade exhibitions.
The scale of investment cooperation is also significant. The
portfolio of ongoing joint investment projects is estimated at
about $60 billion, while more than 6,000 joint ventures involving
Chinese and Uzbek partners operate in Uzbekistan.
The two countries identified energy, chemicals, metallurgy,
construction materials, food production, transport, infrastructure,
agriculture and high technologies as priority areas for industrial
cooperation. They also plan to expand cooperation in digital
technologies, mining and the extraction and processing of mineral
resources.
The leaders highlighted cooperation with Chinese automaker BYD
as a successful example of technology partnership. They supported
plans to expand production capacity and increase localization of
electric vehicle manufacturing in Uzbekistan, while encouraging
Chinese companies to establish additional production facilities in
joint industrial zones across the country.
Energy cooperation was another major priority. Uzbekistan
expressed interest in expanding partnerships in both conventional
and renewable energy and attracting Chinese companies to peaceful
nuclear energy projects.
Transport connectivity also featured prominently in the talks.
The leaders highlighted the ongoing construction of the
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, expressing confidence that the
route will become an important component of Eurasian transport
infrastructure and strengthen connectivity under the Belt and Road
Initiative.
The two sides also agreed to expand tourism, air connectivity
and humanitarian exchanges. Uzbekistan and China maintain a
visa-free regime, while plans are being considered to expand flight
routes and increase flight frequencies. Cultural cooperation will
also be strengthened through cultural centers and planned Uzbek
Culture Days in China.
Cooperation in science and education will continue through Lu
Ban Workshops, Confucius Institutes and joint university programs.
Uzbekistan also expressed interest in expanding Chinese-language
education and increasing opportunities for Uzbek students to study
in China.
The leaders further emphasized cooperation under the
China-Central Asia framework and preparations for the third summit
of the format, scheduled to be held in China next year. Mirziyoyev
invited Xi to visit Uzbekistan.
"The President of Uzbekistan invited the Chinese president to
pay a visit to our country. The meeting was held in a traditionally
trusting, open and friendly atmosphere," the press service
said.
The breadth of the agreements points to an increasingly
multidimensional economic relationship, with the proposed $30
billion trade target reflecting Uzbekistan’s ambition to move
beyond its current trade volumes. The growing investment portfolio,
electric vehicle production, major transport projects and
cooperation in energy and technology suggest that China is becoming
an increasingly important partner in Uzbekistan’s industrial and
infrastructure development.
