Mirziyoyev departs for China

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev departed today, August 30, on an official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Presidential press service reported.

According to the visit's agenda, on August 31 and September 1, the Head of State will take part in the next meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin, as well as in the “SCO Plus” format meeting.

The issues concerning the further development of multifaceted cooperation in priority areas and the improvement of the organization’s activities will be discussed within the framework of the SCO. In addition, the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration, as well as joint documents and decisions, is planned.

President Mirziyoyev will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and meet with the senior officials and heads of leading Chinese companies in Beijing on September 2. The agenda will focus on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China and expanding practical cooperation.

The President of Uzbekistan will also take part in the ceremonies dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II on September 3. During his visit to China, President Mirziyoyev is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov reported.

According to China’s official news agency Xinhua, the celebrations in Beijing will be attended by leaders and heads of government from 26 countries.

Among the first foreign leaders expected to arrive in China is North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The celebrations in Beijing will also bring together the leaders and government heads of Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, the Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Serbia, Slovakia, Cuba, and Myanmar.

It is worth noting that the war of resistance of the Chinese people against Japanese aggression, also known as the Second Sino-Japanese War, began in 1931 with Japan’s invasion of Manchuria. It escalated into a full-scale war in 1937 and concluded in 1945 with Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II. China is said to have played a crucial role in achieving victory over fascism, holding off Japanese forces for many years, and contributing to the formation of the international anti-fascist front.