TASHKENT: From January 23 to 25 of this year, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is embarking on a state visit to the People’s Republic of China. This visit holds immense significance, promising to inject fresh momentum into the already thriving Uzbek-Chinese cooperation. Amidst global geopolitical tensions and mounting instability, the relationship between Uzbekistan and China stands out as a shining example of successful bilateral interaction.
Promotion of Comprehensive Political Dialogue
Over the past 30 years, Uzbekistan and China have steadily reinforced political mutual trust and fostered bilateral relations grounded in principles such as equality, friendship, good-neighborliness, mutual support, mutual benefit, and respect for each other’s interests. The election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as the President of Uzbekistan marked a turning point, propelling Uzbek-Chinese interaction onto a trajectory of dynamic development.
The robust political dialogue, underscored by regular high-level interactions, culminated in September 2022 with the elevation of bilateral relations to the status of a “comprehensive strategic partnership in a new era.” This designation reflects the alignment of their views and geopolitical priorities, underscoring a mutual desire to elevate cooperation to new heights.
Since 2017, the leaders have engaged in three telephone conversations and eight meetings. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Uzbekistan in 2022 and President Mirziyoyev’s five visits to China (in 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023) have further solidified the relationship. These visits resulted in the signing of approximately 60 documents, including agreements on trade contracts and investments exceeding $40 billion.
Intergovernmental, interparliamentary, and interdepartmental dialogues have played a pivotal role in deepening multifaceted interaction. The Uzbek-Chinese Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, operational since 2011, comprises seven specialized subcommittees, with a new subcommittee on poverty reduction established in 2022. Inter-Parliamentary Group on Cooperation and regular political consultations at the ministerial level further underscore the commitment to broad-based collaboration.
The initiation of the first Strategic Dialogue between the foreign ministers of both countries in November 2023 in Beijing marked a significant milestone, introducing a new mechanism to implement agreements reached at the highest levels. Interregional exchanges have flourished, exemplified by visits from Chinese delegations to Uzbekistan resulting in over 100 investment contracts and agreements totaling $3.5 billion.
The comprehensive strategic partnership extends beyond the bilateral agenda, encompassing collaboration within regional and international organizations such as the UN, SCO, CICA, BRICS Plus, and more. Mutual support on global and regional issues demonstrates the proximity of their positions.
The Central Asia-China format, initiated through the first face-to-face summit in May 2023, laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation with the signing of the Xi’an Declaration. Uzbekistan actively participates in China’s flagship project, the “Belt and Road” initiative, aligning its priorities with the development of transport and logistics projects, investment in high technologies, climate change adaptation, and cultural and humanitarian ties.
Expansion of Mutually Beneficial Economic and Investment Cooperation
Trade, economic, and investment cooperation takes center stage in Uzbek-Chinese relations, showcasing positive dynamics and stable growth. As of 2022, China has emerged as Uzbekistan’s leading trade partner and a major investor, with mutual trade reaching approximately $9 billion, reflecting a 20% increase from 2021.
In the first eleven months of 2023, bilateral trade surged by 34%, surpassing $12 billion, constituting about 20% of Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade turnover. The trajectory suggests a plausible increase to $20 billion in the next five years.
Uzbekistan’s exports to China primarily include mineral fuels, petroleum products, copper and copper products, cotton yarn, silk, and plastics. In return, machinery, equipment, vehicles, plastics, rubber, and metals constitute the majority of Chinese imports. Notably, high-tech equipment dominates the imports, essential for modernizing Uzbekistan’s industrial sector.
The signing of phytosanitary protocols in 2018 significantly expanded Uzbekistan’s agricultural and food product exports to China, with permission granted for 21 types of products. Notably, exports of mash and dried grapes witnessed substantial growth, capturing a significant share of Chinese imports.
Chinese investors have actively engaged in Uzbekistan, particularly in sectors such as oil and gas, chemical, telecommunications, hydropower, agriculture, light industry, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and construction materials. The total volume of Chinese investments surged fivefold from 2017 to 2022, reaching nearly $11 billion. Currently, 2,125 enterprises with Chinese capital constitute 15% of the total number of foreign-invested enterprises.
Large-scale projects, including the Kungrad soda plant, Dehkanabad potash fertilizer plant, cement plants in partnership with Huaxin Cement Jizzakh and Farg’ona Yasin Qurilish Mollari, and the Navoiazot complex, underscore the depth of collaboration. In 2023, the largest cement plant with a capacity of 3 million tonnes per year was inaugurated in the Samarkand region in partnership with Energy China, showcasing the robustness of economic ties.
Chinese investors actively participate in the establishment of high-tech industrial parks, with the “Peng Sheng” park serving as a successful example. Future plans include the creation of an Uzbek-Chinese agro-industrial park, agro-innovation park, and biotechnological cluster, contributing to bilateral cooperation in high-tech product manufacturing.
As the world transitions towards “green” development, Uzbek-Chinese collaboration extends to renewable energy sources (RES). China, a global leader in RES adoption, with 49.6% of its energy balance from green energy by the end of 2023, is actively involved in projects in Uzbekistan. Plans include the construction of solar and wind power plants, along with feasibility studies for hydropower projects.
Strengthening Uzbek-Chinese Interaction in Digital Development
China’s remarkable advancements in digital innovations, including 5G, blockchain, big data, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce, present an opportunity for Uzbekistan. Acknowledging China’s expertise, Uzbekistan aims to facilitate technology transfer and attract Chinese investments in electronic commerce, digital platforms, and big data processing and storage centers.
In 2022, a national pavilion for Uzbekistan was launched on Alibaba, featuring over 100 textile, agricultural, and food products. Future plans include expanding product categories and increasing the number of items to 300. This collaboration in e-commerce development signifies a new phase in bilateral economic ties.
Strengthening Cultural and Humanitarian Ties
Uzbekistan and China place significant emphasis on expanding cultural and humanitarian ties, fostering deeper mutual understanding and cultural enrichment. The Great Silk Road, a testament to over 2000 years of friendly contacts between the two peoples, serves as a foundation for their enduring friendship.
Uzbekistan-China Friendship Society, China-Central Asia Friendship Society, and the Chinese National Cultural Center in Tashkent actively contribute to strengthening mutual understanding. Collaboration in education, science, tourism, healthcare, sports, and archaeology witnesses yearly advancements through joint conferences, symposiums, exhibitions, tourist fairs, cultural days, concerts, and festivals.
The state visit by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to China signifies a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China. The multifaceted cooperation spanning political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian dimensions showcases the depth of their collaboration. The visit is expected to solidify traditional bonds, explore untapped potential, and set the stage for continued growth in the strategic partnership between these two dynamic nations.
