Tashkent and Beijing Preparing Projects Worth Over US$60 Billion

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 2 September, during an official visit to Beijing, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang, the press service of the Uzbek President reported.

The meeting focused on expanding multifaceted cooperation, including trade, economic, investment, and humanitarian areas. At the start of the talks, Mirziyoyev congratulated the Chinese people on the 80th anniversary of Victory Day and the successful hosting of the SCO Summit in Tianjin.

According to both sides, Uzbekistan–China relations have reached the level of a “comprehensive all-weather strategic partnership” with mature practical engagement. In 2024, bilateral trade reached US$14 billion, with potential to increase to US$20 billion through growth in supply and balanced exports and imports.

Proposed initiatives include establishing a Quantum Metrology Center and a Regional Industrial Standardization Center in Uzbekistan following Chinese standards, as well as a Uzbek–Chinese Artificial Intelligence Development Center. The portfolio of joint projects is estimated at over US$60 billion.

A package of new projects was prepared for the visit in sectors such as green energy, geology, chemical industry, rare earth processing, coal chemistry, transport infrastructure modernization, agriculture, and agrivoltaics.

Special attention was given to cooperation with leading Chinese financial institutions and joint poverty reduction efforts. Strategic directions include construction of the Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan–China railway with participation of Uzbek contractors.

In the cultural and humanitarian sphere, the sides signed an agreement on the mutual opening of cultural centers, discussed expanding educational initiatives, including holding the second Educational Forum in Uzbekistan and creating “Lu Ban Workshops.”

President Mirziyoyev also highlighted the activities of Confucius Institutes in Tashkent and Samarkand and advocated expanding air connectivity and tourist exchanges. At the conclusion of the meeting, he invited Premier Li Qiang to visit Uzbekistan officially.