Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Representatives of the expert and analytical circles of China shared their comments with the Dunyo news agency on the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia, which began on 17 August:

Director of the Institute for the Social Development of Europe and Asia under the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Yongquan said:

- The state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Saudi Arabia is another clear confirmation of the active and multi-vector foreign policy of Tashkent.

Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia demonstrate dynamic growth in bilateral trade, show mutual interest in the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation in political, trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian and other fields.

In recent years, exchanges of visits between high-ranking officials, as well as the business circles of Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, have become dynamic, contributing to the further expansion and intensification of multifaceted practical cooperation between the two states.

Undoubtedly, the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia will be a breakthrough and will raise bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level.

We welcome the intensification of relations between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, which have great economic and resource potential.

Researcher at the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Li Ruisi said:

- One of the important priorities of the foreign policy of Uzbekistan is the formation of the most favorable external conditions for the effective implementation of the reforms carried out in the country and the dynamic processes of modernization of society and the economy.

In this regard, the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia serves to further expand the horizons of cooperation between Tashkent and the Middle East region, where Saudi Arabia plays a significant role.

In turn, the development of cooperation with Uzbekistan, which today is becoming an active participant in regional and international processes, is one of the key states in the Eurasian region, meets the long-term interests of Riyadh.

Centuries-old historical ties, cultural closeness, common values and similar customs and traditions of the peoples of the two countries also form a favorable basis for the further development of Uzbek-Saudi relations.

The fact that over the past five years in Uzbekistan the number of enterprises with the participation of Saudi capital has increased to 38, demonstrating an increase of 4.2 times, indicates the presence of all prerequisites for further intensification of practical cooperation.

Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia also have enormous opportunities in the field of tourism. The full use of this potential, the increase in tourist exchange will give a huge economic effect. The simplification of visa procedures by Uzbekistan for the citizens of the kingdom was an important step in this direction, which will lead to a multiple increase in tourist flows.

The important documents signed during the visit will give a new impetus to the development of multifaceted cooperation between the two states, the deepening of comprehensive Uzbek-Saudi relations.