Qin Gang Holds Talks with Uzbek Acting Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov

On April 12, 2023 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang held talks with Uzbek Acting Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in Tashkent. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the development of China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership and will follow through on the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, and expand all-round cooperation to the benefit of the two peoples.

Qin Gang said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Uzbekistan have continuously deepened mutual trust and expanded mutually beneficial cooperation, bringing important development opportunities for bilateral relations. China stands ready to work with Uzbekistan to continue to staunchly support each other on issues concerning respective core interests, make the pie of cooperation bigger, and enhance synergy in Belt and Road cooperation. China will also work with Uzbekistan to accelerate the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, increase the capacity of the China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan railway and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway, enhance cooperation on China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan road-rail intermodal transport, realize the normal operation of the China-Tajikistan-Uzbekistan highway at an early date, and operate more direct flights to facilitate cross-border travels. Efforts should also be made to deepen practical cooperation, and draw on each other's strengths to achieve common development. China encourages more Chinese companies to invest and do business in Uzbekistan and stands ready to import more quality products from Uzbekistan.

Qin Gang stressed that the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping have received wide support from the international community. China is ready to strengthen coordination with Uzbekistan to jointly implement the three initiatives and make China and Uzbekistan’s contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese side spoke highly of the tremendous work Uzbekistan has done for the Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan, and is confident that the meeting will be a complete success and demonstrate the unique role and important influence of the coordination and cooperation mechanism among Afghan neighbors.

Saidov congratulated the great China on successfully achieving its first centenary goal under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and advancing toward the goal of building a great modern country. He noted that thanks to the high-level mutual trust and personal attention of the two heads of state, Uzbekistan-China relations have reached an unprecedentedly high level. Uzbekistan appreciated China’s strong support to the country in safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and promoting development and reform. Applauding the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries as increasingly mature, Saidov said Uzbekistan looks forward to deepening all-round cooperation with China and learning from China's experience in national governance including that in poverty alleviation. China is welcome to expand investment in Uzbekistan, and Uzbekistan will continue to fully support and actively participate in the Belt and Road cooperation, and build the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway into a benchmark project to enhance connectivity on the Eurasian continent. Saidov thanked China for its support for Uzbekistan in hosting the Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan. Noting China’s active participation in global governance and its important contributions to the peace, progress, development and prosperity of mankind, Saidov expressed Uzbekistan’s readiness to maintain close coordination with China on international and regional affairs.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and concern.