China, Uzbekistan sign deals on trade, education, health and e-commerce

Premier Li Qiang meets with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

China and Uzbekistan expressed hope about future collaboration in areas such as infrastructure, artificial intelligence and the green economy, during Premier Li Qiang's just-concluded two-day official visit to the Central Asian country.

Li met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and held talks with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov after arriving in Tashkent, the Uzbek capital, on Saturday.

As part of the visit's fruitful outcomes, Li and Aripov witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering areas such as trade and economy, education, customs, health and poverty reduction.

During the visit, the two sides also signed deals in areas including e-commerce, climate and media.

China is the largest trade partner of the Central Asian country. Last year, annual bilateral trade volume stood at $16.1 billion, up 17.9 percent year-on-year, according to the Foreign Ministry.

In meeting with the Uzbek president, Li said China stands ready to ensure the high-quality implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project.

China supports more capable Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Uzbekistan and hopes that Uzbekistan will continue to provide a favorable business environment for these enterprises, he added.

Li also said that in recent years, the building of a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future has continued to achieve new results, and that both countries should firmly support each other's core interests and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

'Golden age'

Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan-China relations are currently enjoying a "golden age".

Uzbekistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, and it will continue to work with China to combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, he said.

The president said his country welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, and stands ready to work with China to accelerate the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

Uzbekistan supports the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in multilateral affairs, as well as promote continued progress in the Uzbekistan-China all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era, he added.

In his talks with Aripov, Li said China stands ready to strengthen the synergy of development visions with Uzbekistan and deepen cooperation in energy and resources, artificial intelligence and modern agriculture.

China is also willing to import more high-quality and specialty products from Uzbekistan, and welcomes Uzbekistan to make full use of platforms such as the China International Import Expo to actively explore the Chinese market, he added.

As next year marks the 35th anniversary of bilateral relations, Li said that China is ready to carry forward the two nations' traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, enhance practical cooperation, and advance the building of the China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future.

Li called for the two sides to continue to make good use of the mutual visa exemption policy, expand two-way personnel exchanges, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as culture, tourism, education and youth.

Aripov said Uzbekistan sincerely appreciates China's strong support for his country's reform and development efforts.

Uzbekistan is willing to work with China to fully promote the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and other projects of Belt and Road cooperation, he added.

Aripov also said Uzbekistan is ready to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas including economic and trade investment, agriculture, energy and mineral resources, customs, finance, digital technology, artificial intelligence and ecological protection.

Before their talks, Li and Aripov jointly watched a video showcasing practical cooperation between China and Uzbekistan across various fields.

On Saturday afternoon, Li also laid a wreath at the Independence Monument in Tashkent.

From Sunday to Tuesday, Li is scheduled to make an official visit to Tajikistan and attend the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.