An aerial photo shows the view of Uzbek cities. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
The visit by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to China will undoubtedly give new momentum to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, with a package of agreements in politics, trade and culture expected to be signed, said the country's top envoy in Beijing.
Mirziyoyev will be in China for a state visit and attend the China-Central Asia Summit, which is to be chaired by President Xi Jinping in Xi'an, Shannxi province, on Thursday and Friday.
Farhod Arziev, Uzbekistan's ambassador to China, said in an interview with China Daily that thanks to joint efforts, bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and China are close today and practical cooperation is deepening in virtually all areas.
"The two countries are mutually interested in further expanding and deepening cooperation in the trade, economic, investment and innovation fields," Arziev said. In addition, potential for cooperation in terms of energy, green economy, artificial intelligence, digitalization and e-commerce remains to be unlocked, he said.
According to the Foreign Ministry, trade between China and Uzbekistan was $9.78 billion last year. China was Uzbekistan's largest trading partner in the first quarter of this year, with trade volume reaching $2.35 billion, statistics from the Uzbek side showed.
"China is not only a 'global factory', but also a 'global market'. Therefore, Uzbekistan is interested in maximizing the use of these opportunities and giving full play to the complementary advantages of our economies," the ambassador said.
Arziev noted that his country attaches great importance to creating all necessary conditions for the successful activities of foreign investors, including Chinese investors.
The Uzbek envoy said poverty reduction has also become an important area of practical cooperation.
"China's successful experience creates good opportunities for exchange and cooperation in the development of rural industries, the modernization of the agricultural sector, and the strengthening of rural infrastructure," he said.
Last month, Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov led a delegation to Yunnan province in Southwest China, where he learned about China's poverty alleviation experience and rural development.
When meeting with Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian, Kuchkarov said China's poverty reduction experience is worth learning. He added that Uzbekistan is willing to work with China to propel bilateral cooperation in poverty reduction and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.
Ambassador Arziev said a subcommittee on poverty reduction will be established within the framework of the bilateral intergovernmental cooperation committee.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and Uzbekistan is one of the first countries to support and participate in the initiative.
Arziev said that one priority for Uzbekistan in cooperating with China within the framework of the BRI is the implementation of transportation and communication projects, among them the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway line.
During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in September, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to advance the project.
"The implementation of this project will reduce the delivery time of goods between the countries of Central Asia and China and ease the cargo flow along existing routes," Arziev said. The railway will not only benefit the three countries, but will also be of great importance in connecting the Eurasia region and ensuring a seamless supply chain.
Arziev also noted the over 2,000-year history of contact between Uzbekistan and China, saying that the two countries share a lot of similarities in their traditions and values.
"Our modern world is highly interconnected, and any situation or problem that arises in one region is inevitably reflected in other parts of the world. In this regard, the Chinese president's concept of a community with a shared future for mankind is very relevant and in demand," he said.
