Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Chinese publications widely cover the anniversary date in bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and China - the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. In particular, an article dedicated to this significant event was published on the pages of the leading Chinese newspaper China Daily.

It should be noted that the newspaper "China Daily" was founded in 1981. The circulation is over 500,000 copies. The main office is located in Beijing, branches - in all major cities in China, as well as in New York, Washington and London. The total audience is about 330 million people.

According to the publication, during this short historical period, modern interstate relations have been brought to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, the states have established mutually beneficial cooperation in almost all areas. Regular meetings between the leaders of the two countries have played an important guiding role in the development of relations.

The parties share the same or similar positions on a number of important international and regional issues. China and Uzbekistan maintain close ties within the UN, SCO and other multilateral structures, protect common interests and make a positive contribution to achieving security and progress throughout the world.

“It should be noted here that the honorable and very responsible mission of the SCO chairmanship was transferred to the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2021-2022,” the newspaper writes. “Uzbekistan during its chairmanship proposes to focus everyone’s attention on a number of priority tasks put forward by Uzbekistan, which are clearly in tune with the agenda of the Uzbek-Chinese multilateral cooperation within the framework of the SCO.”

Introducing its readers, the publication notes that in recent years, China has maintained its position as the first trading partner of Uzbekistan. Before the pandemic, the annual volume of bilateral trade increased by an average of 30-40%. By the end of 2021, mutual trade exceeded USUS$7.4 billion. China is the largest export market for Uzbek goods. In 2021, the share of China in the total volume of foreign trade of Uzbekistan amounted to 17.7%. There is not only a quantitative, but also a qualitative change in the structure of mutual trade. This positive dynamic is due, first of all, to an increase in the volumes and types of finished products and agricultural products supplied from Uzbekistan to the Chinese markets.

The annual growth of Chinese investments in Uzbekistan fluctuates between 40-50%. Today, Chinese direct investment, along with the capital of other leading partners of Uzbekistan, is actively present in almost all sectors of the Uzbek economy. Among them are oil and gas, chemical, building materials, pharmaceuticals, the agricultural sector, light industry and others.

One of the key factors of such interaction is large-scale reforms in all spheres of Uzbekistan, the Chinese edition states.

The processes of liberalization of the national economy have opened all the doors for expanding investment and trade cooperation between the two countries. Favorable conditions are being created for foreign investors, one of the striking results of which is the fact that over the past four years the number of Chinese companies in Uzbekistan has increased from about 700 to more than 1900.

The article also attaches great importance to the successful experience of China in the fight against the pandemic, which created objective conditions for the development of fruitful cooperation between the two countries in this area. In September 2021, Uzbekistan launched the production of an Uzbek-Chinese vaccine called ZF-UZ-VAC 2001, developed jointly with the Ministry of Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Chinese company Zhifei Longcom.

The material emphasizes that partnerships between the leading universities of Uzbekistan and China are also being strengthened. The interest of Uzbek youth in learning Chinese is growing from year to year. Moreover, thousands of representatives of Uzbek youth receive education in the universities of China in the most popular areas and directions.

In general, we can state with satisfaction that Uzbekistan and China are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in the context of visible achievements in the development of the two countries, strengthening bilateral strategic partnership and practical cooperation. This allows us to be confident in the excellent prospects for Uzbek-Chinese relations, which are steadily developing for the benefit of the peoples of Uzbekistan and China, China Daily concludes.