China and Uzbekistan have reinforced their strategic partnership by agreeing to bolster cooperation across various sectors, including infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and trade. This development follows a two-day official visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, where he met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and held talks with Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov.
During the visit, the two nations signed a series of cooperation agreements that span numerous fields such as trade, education, healthcare, customs, and e-commerce. The agreements also cover climate change, media collaboration, and poverty reduction, reflecting a broad commitment to shared development goals.
A significant focus of the discussions was the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, which both countries are keen to advance to enhance regional connectivity and support economic growth. China has encouraged its companies to invest in Uzbekistan, while the Uzbek government has promised a favorable business environment to attract more Chinese investors.
The cooperation extends to energy, mineral resources, modern agriculture, and digital technology, with both parties expressing a desire to deepen ties in these areas. China is also interested in importing more high-quality Uzbek products and has urged Uzbekistan to increase its market access efforts to China.
China remains Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $16.1 billion last year, marking a 17.9 percent increase from the previous year. This economic relationship underscores the importance of the agreements signed during Premier Li’s visit.
Both countries have reiterated their commitment to strengthening political trust, expanding investment, and promoting cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges. Additionally, they have pledged to enhance coordination on regional and international issues, further solidifying their strategic partnership.