Mirziyoyev and Li Qiang Discuss Expanding Uzbekistan-China Ties

Anvar Umarov

· 21:21, 17.10.2026 · Updated 22:16 · 1182 views

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with a Chinese delegation led by Premier of the State Council Li Qiang on 17 October. The sides discussed strengthening their strategic partnership, implementing joint investment projects and expanding cooperation across key economic sectors.

At the beginning of the meeting, Li Qiang conveyed greetings and best wishes to Mirziyoyev from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The talks focused primarily on the practical implementation of agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries in Bishkek in August this year.

Both sides welcomed the intensification of contacts between their parliaments, governments, foreign affairs and sectoral agencies, regional authorities and business communities. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its consistent support for the one-China policy and its opposition to the “three evil forces”.

Bilateral trade continues to grow steadily. The portfolio of agreed projects has reached approximately US$60 billion, while the number of joint ventures established by the two countries has exceeded 6,000. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Uzbekistan is also increasing, and the two countries continue to exchange experience in poverty reduction.

Particular attention was paid to expanding industrial and technological cooperation. Priority areas include green energy, the chemical industry, geology, automotive manufacturing, metallurgy, agriculture and infrastructure modernisation.

The sides also discussed cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, machine-tool manufacturing and robotics.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway remains one of the key strategic infrastructure projects. Construction is progressing ahead of schedule. Once operational, the railway is expected to provide additional momentum for trade and strengthen regional transport connectivity.

The talks also covered prospects for expanding tourism, cultural and educational exchanges. Plans to increase the frequency of flights between cities in Uzbekistan and China are under discussion to encourage more travel.

Uzbekistan Culture Days will be held in China in the near future. The two countries also plan to open cultural centres in each other’s territory.

The participants exchanged views on cooperation within multilateral frameworks, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Central Asia-China format and other international organisations.