Talks took place in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping.
The parties called for continuing the systematic Strategic Dialogue between foreign ministries and further deepening interparliamentary ties. The firm position of Uzbekistan in support of the "one China" policy and the consistent fight against the "three evil forces" was reaffirmed.
Special attention was paid to trade, economic, and investment cooperation. Last year, bilateral trade turnover approached 18 billion dollars. Confidence in its further growth was expressed.
A proposal was made to set a new benchmark of 30 billion dollars in the coming years. To this end, work will continue to increase mutual deliveries of industrial and agricultural products, as well as ensure the active participation of Uzbek enterprises in trade exhibitions in China.
The portfolio of active joint investment projects reaches about 60 billion dollars, with more than 6 thousand joint ventures operating in Uzbekistan.
Promising areas of industrial cooperation were identified in energy, the chemical industry, metallurgy, production of building materials and food products, transport and infrastructure, agriculture, and advanced technologies. Growth areas will expand across the digital economy, the mining sector, and the extraction and processing of mineral resources.
Cooperation with BYD on electric vehicle manufacturing was highlighted as a successful example of technological partnership. Plans to expand production capacity and increase the localisation level were endorsed.
Chinese companies were invited to participate more actively in establishing production facilities in joint industrial zones across the regions of Uzbekistan.
Interest in further expanding cooperation with leading financial institutions of China and strengthening their presence in our country was emphasised.
A high assessment was given to cooperation in the energy sector. Uzbekistan is interested in expanding partnerships in conventional and alternative energy, as well as engaging Chinese companies in peaceful nuclear energy projects.
Interregional exchanges are developing actively. All regions of Uzbekistan engage actively with Chinese provinces and implement a substantial portfolio of joint projects. In May, the third interregional forum took place in Xi'an.
Particular attention was paid to developing transport connectivity. Construction of the strategic China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan railway continues effectively. Confidence was expressed that this route will become a vital link in the transport architecture of Eurasia and strengthen connectivity under the Belt and Road initiative.
Space exploration was identified as a promising direction for cooperation.
Special focus was placed on further deepening regional partnership within the "China Central Asia" format and preparing for its third summit in China next year.
The President invited the Chinese leader to visit Uzbekistan. The meeting took place in a traditionally trusting, open, and friendly atmosphere.
Reported by KUN (Uzbekistan).
