Presidents of Uzbekistan and China Hold High-Level Talks in Beijing to Strengthen Strategic Partnership
Beijing, The Gulf Observer: President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping held official negotiations in Beijing on Tuesday as part of Mirziyoyev’s state visit to China. The meeting, attended by members of both countries’ official delegations, focused on deepening the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding practical cooperation across multiple fields.
President Mirziyoyev warmly congratulated the Chinese leader and people on the 80th anniversary of Victory and the successful hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin. He also reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s support for the “Global Governance Initiative” put forward by President Xi Jinping, describing it as timely and relevant.
The two leaders noted the significant progress achieved in recent years in political dialogue, mutual support on key issues, and economic engagement. Uzbekistan reiterated its firm stance in supporting the “One China” policy and joint efforts to combat terrorism, extremism, and separatism.
Economic cooperation remains a cornerstone of bilateral ties. Trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $14 billion in 2024, increasing by another 23 percent in early 2025, with a joint goal of raising this figure to $20 billion. The investment portfolio currently surpasses $60 billion, with 64 projects worth over $10 billion launched in 2024. Cooperation includes the operation of joint technoparks and industrial zones in Uzbekistan, as well as the expansion of BYD electric vehicle production with greater localization.
On the eve of the visit, a major business forum produced promising projects in green energy, digitalized public transport, toll highway construction, critical mineral processing, water management, agriculture, tourism, and urban development. A strong financial partnership with Eximbank, the China Development Bank, and the Silk Road Fund continues to grow, with Eximbank recently financing the construction of Tashkent’s Olympic Village.
Both sides emphasized closer collaboration in science, technology, and education. Uzbekistan proposed the creation of a Uzbekistan–China Center for Artificial Intelligence Development. They also welcomed the practical launch of the strategic China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project. Educational cooperation has expanded with the opening of branches of the Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University and the International Mathematics Center in Uzbekistan, with new branches of Xi’an Shiyou University and the Beijing Institute of Technology also planned.
This year, Uzbekistan will host the Second Education Forum, and new “Luban Workshops” are set to be established to train specialists in priority sectors, including artificial intelligence, engineering, energy, medicine, and agriculture. Cultural and tourism exchanges are also being promoted, with increased flights, a visa-free regime, and upcoming Uzbek art exhibitions in Shanghai and Beijing in 2027. A landmark agreement on the mutual establishment of cultural centers will also be signed.
The two presidents further discussed international and regional issues, pledging to strengthen coordination within the United Nations, the SCO, and other multilateral formats.
The talks concluded in a traditionally open and friendly atmosphere, with President Mirziyoyev extending an official invitation to President Xi Jinping to visit Uzbekistan.
