Uzbekistan signed agreements with China worth $15 billion

Today 15 September, in the Congress Center of the international tourist center «Great Silk Road» in Samarkand, negotiations between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan and President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China were held.

At the beginning of the meeting, the heads of state congratulated each other on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership.

Our president expressed sincere gratitude to China and Xi Jinping, who is the author of the article «Together we build a bright future of Chinese-Uzbek relations», which confirms the multifaceted links between our peoples and was published on the eve of his visit.  The Chinese people noted the great successes achieved under Xi Jinping’s leadership and wished success to the upcoming 20th Plenary of the Chinese Communist Party.

The Chinese leader noted that the large-scale reforms carried out in New Uzbekistan, give great results in all spheres of public life.

The leaders discussed in detail the important directions of development of relations of comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China.

It was noted that cooperation between the two countries had been enhanced through regular high-level dialogues.  In particular, last year, trade turnover reached a record 8 billion dollars, and since the beginning of this year it has increased by more than 30 percent.

Over the past five years, the volume of investments attracted to the economy of Uzbekistan has exceeded 10 billion dollars. The five-year program of extensive economic cooperation and joint projects in important sectors of the economy and the social sector, are being successfully implemented.
The importance of further expansion of trade and economic cooperation, development of e-commerce, implementation of promising production cooperation projects, first of all, in the spheres of automotive, «green» energy, agriculture and infrastructure.

Special attention was paid to the study and implementation of China’s best practices in poverty alleviation, regional development and professional training.

The Heads of State stressed the need to intensify relations between regions.  To this end, it has been proposed to hold the first regional forum of the two countries in Uzbekistan before the end of this year.

It was noted with great satisfaction that a historic agreement was reached to start construction of the railway «China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan», which is of strategic importance for the development of the region and its transport interdependence.

Issues of humanitarian cooperation were also raised, including the expansion of joint programs in the areas of health, vaccine production, science, education and culture.

It was agreed to negotiate a year of culture and art of the peoples of Uzbekistan and China, which will serve to further strengthen mutual friendship and understanding.

There was a detailed exchange of views on topical issues of regional and international importance.

They stressed the importance of continuing efforts to support the peace process and economic recovery in Afghanistan, continuation of system cooperation within the framework of international and regional structures, including the «Central Asia-China» mechanism.

The Chinese leader praised the work of Uzbekistan as Chairman of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which resulted in important decisions to expand the organization and strengthen its international influence.

At the end of the event, agreements on trade, economic, investment, financial and technical cooperation for the implementation of priority projects totaling 15 billion dollars were signed.

At the conclusion of the negotiation, Xi Jinping invited Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to visit China in return.