Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 1–2 June 2025, the Second Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum took place at the Silk Road Samarkand International Tourist Center. The forum served as a key platform for deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries, enhancing interregional cooperation, and advancing business and investment collaboration.

The event brought together over 2,800 participants, including representatives from business circles, government authorities, regional administrations, and academic institutions from both nations.

The Uzbek delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev. Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Ilzat Kasimov also took part in the forum.

In his opening remarks, Jamshid Khodjaev emphasized that China is currently Uzbekistan’s leading trade and investment partner. Over the past five years, bilateral trade volume has doubled, reaching $13 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, direct investment from China has increased fivefold compared to 2017, and the number of joint ventures has tripled to more than 3,700.

Uzbekistan and China are currently implementing a broad portfolio of joint projects across key industries such as energy, chemicals, machinery, textiles, construction materials, consumer electronics, and agriculture. Khodjaev highlighted that despite global economic challenges, new opportunities are emerging to further strengthen this partnership. He expressed confidence that the forum’s trade and economic session and product exhibition would lay the groundwork for major new agreements.

A central topic of the forum was the ongoing construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway. This strategic corridor is expected to significantly enhance Uzbekistan’s role in regional logistics and boost its transit capacity.

Speakers underscored the long-term and mutually beneficial nature of Uzbek–Chinese cooperation, which is grounded in shared development goals and supported by joint projects, cutting-edge technologies, and scientific collaboration that contribute to sustainable economic growth.

On the first day of the forum, bilateral meetings were held with leaders from various Chinese regions, including Shaanxi, Shandong, Heilongjiang, Gansu, as well as the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Discussions focused on expanding interregional partnerships and launching new investment initiatives.

In addition, negotiations were held with representatives of around 20 Chinese companies, including prominent firms such as Shaanxi Construction Engineering, Yalan Textile, and Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry. The forum concluded with the signing of bilateral agreements and a joint exhibition of products from Uzbek and Chinese companies, demonstrating strong mutual interest in enhancing economic ties.

The forum program also featured thematic panel sessions on key topics such as science and education, innovation, agricultural development, and women's empowerment. These discussions reflected the broad and multi-layered nature of Uzbekistan–China cooperation, which extends beyond economic collaboration to encompass social, humanitarian, and technological dimensions.