China and Uzbekistan have pledged to deepen their bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and trade, following Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s recent visit to Uzbekistan. During his two-day trip to Tashkent, Premier Li held discussions with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, resulting in several cooperation agreements that span trade, education, healthcare, and more.
A significant focus of the visit was the advancement of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and boosting economic development. Both nations committed to pushing forward this key infrastructure initiative. Additionally, China expressed its intent to increase investment in Uzbekistan and encouraged more Chinese companies to engage with the Uzbek market. In response, Uzbekistan assured a favorable business environment for these investments.
The agreements also emphasize collaboration in energy, mineral resources, modern agriculture, digital technology, and environmental protection. China showed interest in importing more high-quality Uzbek products, urging Uzbekistan to broaden its market access to China. This comes as China remains Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $16.1 billion last year, a 17.9% increase from the previous year.
Both countries underscored their commitment to strengthening political trust and expanding cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges. They also agreed to enhance coordination on regional and international issues, reinforcing their strategic partnership. This visit illustrates a mutual interest in fostering robust economic and political ties between the nations.