Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — China is ready to ensure the high-quality implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project and expand trade and economic cooperation with Tashkent. Chinese Premier Li Qiang made the statement during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Li said Beijing was interested in expanding the presence of competitive Chinese companies in the Uzbek market. He expressed hope that Uzbekistan would continue creating favourable conditions for investment and business operations.
According to the Chinese premier, bilateral relations have continued to develop in recent years under the strategic leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Against the backdrop of a complex international situation, he said, the two countries should strengthen solidarity, expand cooperation and support each other on issues affecting their core interests.
China intends to work with Uzbekistan to increase bilateral trade and improve its structure.
Li identified cooperation in energy, mining, finance and transport connectivity as key priorities.
The two sides also plan to deepen cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, including artificial intelligence, the green economy and aerospace technologies. Li also called for stronger cultural and humanitarian ties and the early opening of cultural centres of the two countries on each other's territory.
The Chinese premier said Beijing was ready to coordinate positions with Tashkent on key international issues and expand cooperation through multilateral platforms, including the China-Central Asia mechanism and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
In turn, Mirziyoyev congratulated the Communist Party of China on the 105th anniversary of its founding. He noted that under Xi Jinping's leadership, China was moving confidently towards national rejuvenation.
The Uzbek president described the current stage of bilateral relations as a “golden age”. According to Mirziyoyev, his meeting with the Chinese president on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek had set out further directions for cooperation.
Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan's commitment to the one-China principle and its support for Beijing's efforts to safeguard its core interests. He also expressed readiness to continue cooperating with China in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Uzbekistan welcomes the expanding presence of Chinese enterprises and intends to work with China to accelerate construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, as well as develop exchanges across various fields.
Mirziyoyev also expressed support for the four global initiatives proposed by Xi Jinping and a willingness to strengthen cooperation with China on the multilateral agenda.
He said these efforts would contribute to the further development of the two countries' all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
