Ties upgraded as Xi also eyes closer cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda

President Xi Jinping welcomes Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev before they sign a joint statement on the upgrading of bilateral ties after they held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Jan 24, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

China is ready to work for closer cooperation with Uzbekistan, and Antigua and Barbuda, according to leaders’ meetings in Beijing.

The ties between China and Uzbekistan were elevated to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era, as part of their efforts to boost bilateral cooperation in various fields and to enhance strategic communication to promote regional and global governance.

President Xi Jinping and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a joint statement on the upgrading of the bilateral ties after they held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

They also witnessed the signing of an array of documents on bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields, including joint building of the Belt and Road, implementing the Global Development Initiative, economic and technological cooperation, mutual connectivity, and environmental protection.

Mirziyoyev was in Beijing on a state visit to China from Jan 23 to Jan 25. He told Xi that his first visit abroad this year, to China, is of great symbolic significance.

During their talks, the two presidents exchanged views on deepening the countries’ cooperation in an all-around way, as well as international and regional issues of common concern, and reached a broad consensus.

Xi commended the development of bilateral ties, saying that in the face of the current complex international situation, both sides should firmly support each other, strengthen strategic communication, and deepen strategic mutual trust.

Speaking of the countries’ cooperation, Xi underlined the need for both nations to tap into the potential of traditional cooperation, implement medium and long-term plans for economic, trade and investment cooperation, and introduce more measures to facilitate investment and trade.

He called for starting construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project as early as possible to promote interconnectivity.

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Uzbekistan in the entire industrial chain of new energy vehicles, carry out major projects in photovoltaics, wind power, and hydropower, and support Uzbekistan’s green development strategy, Xi added.

Mirziyoyev said that Uzbekistan-China relations are based on high-level political mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual assistance, and he is fully confident about the prospects of the countries’ relations.

Uzbekistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle, resolutely opposes external forces interfering in China’s internal affairs, and is willing to firmly support China on issues related to its core interests, such as the Taiwan question, issues concerning the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and human rights, the Uzbek president said.

He said that the China-Central Asia Summit, held last May in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, was of historic significance for enhancing regional connectivity and development, and Uzbekistan is willing to work closely with China to establish the secretariat of the China-Central Asia mechanism as soon as possible and promote the development of the China-Central Asia mechanism.

Uzbekistan will continue to strengthen communication and coordination with China within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, he said.

China-Uzbekistan cooperation has become an important driver of China-Central Asia cooperation and continues to revitalize regional development and integration. Given Uzbekistan’s vantage position in Central Asia, its openness and connectivity facilitate regional integration, and its security and prosperity are key to the stability of the entire Central Asian region and China’s northwestern borders, analysts said.

Both sides will firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests such as sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and oppose the politicization of human rights issues by a third country, according to a joint statement on the upgrading of the countries’ ties. Both sides are opposed to any third country or organization engaging in activities that harm the sovereignty, security, or territorial integrity of the other country, the statement said.

China became Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner in 2023, with bilateral trade exceeding $10 billion.

The statement said both countries welcome this positive trend and agree to promote the balanced development of trade and strive to achieve the goal of increasing bilateral trade to $20 billion at an early date.

Both sides maintain that the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project has historical and strategic significance in strengthening connectivity between China and Uzbekistan and even the region, and they are willing to accelerate the construction of the China-Central Asia transportation corridor, according to the statement.

Also on Jan 24, President Xi stressed China’s readiness to work more closely with Antigua and Barbuda on trade, infrastructure development, climate change, new energy, and healthcare within the framework of Belt and Road cooperation.

During a meeting with the Caribbean nation’s prime minister, Gaston Browne, Xi called for close exchanges between the two countries on national governance, stronger alignment in development strategies, and the further deepening of pragmatic cooperation.

The president noted that the two sides have consistently shown mutual respect and support over the 41 years of diplomatic ties, becoming an exemplary model of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between large and small nations.

China highly appreciates Antigua and Barbuda’s firm adherence to the one-China principle, and the nation will extend its continuous support to the island nation in maintaining its national sovereignty and independence, he said.

Xi extended a welcoming message to more young people from Antigua and Barbuda to study in China, as part of broader efforts to step up people-to-people exchanges.

China attaches importance to the concerns and demands of small island developing countries like Antigua and Barbuda in the field of climate change, he said.

According to the World Bank, Antigua and Barbuda, with about 80 percent of its GDP relying on the tourism sector, is exposed economically, environmentally, and socially to climate change impacts, including coastal erosion and inundation, increased rainfall intensity that poses flooding risks, and a likely rise in tropical storm intensity.

Xi told his guest that China is willing to support the island nation in hosting the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, adding that Beijing will continue to provide assistance within its capabilities for the economic and social development of countries in the region.

Browne told Xi that Chinese aid and cooperation has greatly advanced his country’s national development, helping his people shake off poverty.

He expressed his firm belief that Taiwan is, was, and will always be a part of China, saying that his nation will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and steadfastly support China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Browne was on a weeklong visit to China starting on Jan 21, at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, who rolled out the red carpet for the leader of the Caribbean nation before their official talks on Jan 24.

At a forum in Beijing, he said: “We not only welcome Chinese investors to invest in Antigua and Barbuda, but also welcome Chinese tourists to come to Antigua and Barbuda for a leisurely vacation and enjoy the island lifestyle.”

Browne inaugurated the island country’s embassy in Beijing on Jan 23, a move he said “signals the advancement of the relationship between our two nations”.

Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn