Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Meets with Qin Gang

On April 12, 2023 local time, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Tashkent.

Mirziyoyev asked Qin Gang to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping and extended congratulations on President Xi Jinping's unanimous reelection as president of China, noting that this has demonstrated all Chinese people's heartfelt and full support for the able leadership of President Xi Jinping. As a good friend standing shoulder to shoulder and a close and reliable partner, Uzbekistan is heartened by China's remarkable achievements. Last year, President Xi Jinping paid a successful and historic visit to Uzbekistan, elevating Uzbekistan-China relations to an unprecedented height. Uzbekistan cherishes China's support for the building of a "New Uzbekistan", and will stay committed to the one-China principle, jointly crack down on the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and join hands to build a human community with a shared future. Uzbekistan will make good preparations for the meeting of the Uzbekistan-China Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, implement the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway project at a faster pace, expand cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, new energy, infrastructure development, people-to-people and cultural exchanges and at sub-national levels, and draw on China's development experience and innovative science and technology. Mirziyoyev said he looks forward to attending the China-Central Asia Summit and the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China.

Qin Gang conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to President Mirziyoyev and welcomed President Mirziyoyev to China to attend the China-Central Asia Summit and the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Qin Gang said that President Xi Jinping and President Mirziyoyev agreed to advance the building of a human community with a shared future on bilateral level, which has given new characterization to bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Uzbekistan to follow the guidance of this common understanding between the two presidents and continuously elevate China-Uzbekistan relations to new heights. The two sides need to follow through on the five-year plan for economic, trade and investment cooperation, and make continued efforts on top of meeting the $10 billion bilateral trade target set by the two heads of state. The two sides need to further synergize development strategies at a faster pace, and strive for an early start of the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to boost regional connectivity. A poverty-alleviation cooperation sub-committee will be set up to help Uzbekistan achieve its poverty-alleviation goals at an early date. Efforts should also be made to expand new-energy cooperation, optimize energy structure and ensure energy security. Sub-national and non-governmental exchanges and cooperation should be encouraged and supported to consolidate the foundation of friendship between the two peoples.

Qin Gang stressed that China highly appreciates Uzbekistan's valuable support on issues concerning China's core interests. China also firmly supports Uzbekistan in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, backs Uzbekistan's efforts to advance reform and development, and opposes any external interference in Uzbekistan's internal affairs. China is ready to coordinate closely with Uzbekistan to jointly crack down on the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism and safeguard peace and tranquility in both countries and the region.

Qin Gang said that China appreciates Uzbekistan's contributions to the preparation of the Fourth Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan, and stands ready to collaborate closely with Uzbekistan to ensure the success of the meeting.

On the same day, Qin Gang also held talks with Uzbek Acting Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.