SHANGHAI, August 25. /Dunyo IA/. Ma Bin, Associate Professor at Fudan University and Deputy Director of the Centre for SCO Studies and the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, conveyed his sincere congratulations and best wishes to the people of Uzbekistan through Dunyo IA ahead of the 35^th Anniversary of the country’s Independence:

– Since gaining independence in 1991, Uzbekistan, located at the heart of Central Asia, has embarked on a long journey of state-building and national revival. Over 35 years of reform and development, the country has revitalized its historical heritage as the heart of the ancient Silk Road, emerging as one of the most dynamically developing economic and diplomatic centers in Central Asia.

Development path chosen by Uzbekistan after gaining independence has been one of independent innovation rooted in national realities, pursued in a gradual yet proactive manner. During the early post-Soviet period, the “Uzbek Model” was established, based on five key principles: the state as the main driver of reform, the rule of law, the priority of social policy, a gradual transition and state intervention in the economy. This concept laid a crucial foundation for the profound transformations that followed.

In 2016, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan embarked on comprehensive reforms covering the political sphere, the legal system, the economy and foreign policy, with the aim of building a New Uzbekistan founded on openness, market principles, the rule of law and regional integration. This marked the beginning of the most extensive and profound stage of development in Uzbekistan since independence.

Today’s achievements of Uzbekistan represent the revival and transformation of its historical and cultural heritage amid a new wave of modernization. Geographically, Uzbekistan is located at the heart of Central Asia and borders Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. With a population of more than 38 million, accounting for over half of Central Asia’s total population, the country has the region’s largest and most populous consumer and labour market. Historically, this territory served as a major link along the ancient Silk Road. Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva were not only vibrant trading centers connecting East and West, but also important centers of academic and cultural revival across different eras.

Over the 35 years of independence, particularly amid the acceleration of reforms and the policy of openness in recent years, Uzbekistan has successfully transformed its historical legacy as a “crossroads of civilizations” into a tangible advantage as a modern centre of international cooperation. Its role has evolved from a vital Silk Road corridor in the past into a modern transport and logistics hub in Central Asia and a key link in the Trans-Caspian Corridor. Drawing on its heritage as a meeting point of diverse civilizations, Uzbekistan today hosts high-level international summits and contributes to regional integration. This combination of its historic geopolitical position and its focus on modern development is steadily strengthening Uzbekistan’s voice and influence in both regional and global affairs.

As Uzbekistan approaches the 35^th Anniversary of Independence, “Uzbekistan–2030” Strategy sets out an ambitious vision for the country’s future. As the dividends of reform continue to unfold, the policy of openness gains further momentum and deeper synergies emerge between “Belt and Road” Initiative and regional cooperation in Central Asia, this historic centre of the Silk Road is poised to write a new chapter in its civilizational revival.