ТАSHKENT, October 17. /Dunyo IA/.   Yesterday, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a delegation led by Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to the press service of the Head of our State, at the beginning of the meeting, the distinguished guest conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from President of China Xi Jinping to the Leader of Uzbekistan.

Discussions focused on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China in the new era.

Particular attention was given to implementing the agreements reached during the meeting between the leaders of Uzbekistan and China in Bishkek in August this year.

Both sides welcomed the active dialogue and cooperation at the parliamentary, governmental, ministerial, regional and business levels.

Uzbekistan expressed its commitment to the One China policy and combating the “three evil forces”.

Bilateral trade continues to grow steadily. The portfolio of projects backed by firm agreements has reached nearly $60 billion, and more than 6,000 joint ventures have been established so far. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Uzbekistan is increasing, while both countries continue to actively exchange experience in poverty reduction.

Importance of expanding cooperation in “green” energy, the chemical industry, geology, automotive manufacturing, metallurgy, agriculture, infrastructure modernization, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, equipment manufacturing and robotics was also emphasized.

Construction of the strategic China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway is progressing rapidly. The two sides emphasized that its completion and launch will provide a major boost to regional trade and transport connectivity.

Two sides discussed expanding cooperation in tourism, culture and education, including plans to increase the number of flights between cities in Uzbekistan and China to strengthen exchanges in these areas.

Uzbekistan Culture Days will be held in China in the coming days, and cultural centers will be opened in both countries.

The meeting also covered key areas of cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Central Asia–China framework and other multilateral platforms.