Uzbekistan and China have set targets to elevate their bilateral trade volume to $20bn, following a successful year that saw trade reach $14bn in 2023. 

This was announced by the presidential press service on July 3, following talks between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and President Xi Jinping of China during an official visit to Astana.

President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude for China's steadfast support of Uzbekistan's ongoing reforms and emphasised the progress made across all areas of cooperation since his state visit to China in January. 

The leaders highlighted intensified relations at governmental, parliamentary, and sectoral agency levels, underpinned by a current investment portfolio exceeding $50bn.

Chinese investment in Uzbekistan has surpassed $3bn this year alone, facilitating the establishment of over 500 new joint ventures. 

Strategic cooperation in infrastructure, industry, agriculture, and green energy was also a focal point, with achievements such as the Uzbekistan-China technology park in Jizzakh and the production of BYD electric cars underscored during the discussions.

Financial partnerships have expanded with initiatives like the Silk Road Fund, aimed at bolstering projects such as the Olympic town in Tashkent, supported by China Eximbank. 

President Mirziyoyev stressed practical cooperation in poverty alleviation and proposed a long-term programme for sharing expertise in this critical area.

The construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, a flagship project under China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative, was highlighted as a priority, signalling deeper connectivity and economic integration across the region.

Both leaders agreed to enhance collaboration in tourism, science, education, and language learning, with plans to host a forum of Confucius Institutes in Central Asia and establish branches of Chinese higher education institutions in Uzbekistan.

President Mirziyoyev concluded by extending an invitation to President Xi to visit Uzbekistan.