Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The People’s Republic of China
Wang Yi Meets with Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov
Updated: December 01, 2024 23:45

On December 1, 2024, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in Chengdu after chairing the fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Wang Yi said that Uzbekistan is China's first all-weather comprehensive strategic partner for a new era, which fully demonstrates the unique and strategic nature of China-Uzbekistan relations. The two heads of state have established a high degree of mutual trust and profound friendship, providing a strong political and strategic guarantee for the sustained and steady development of China-Uzbekistan relations. Since the beginning of this year, China and Uzbekistan have witnessed frequent high-level exchanges, successful holding of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee meetings and smooth progress in practical cooperation across various fields. At present, both China and Uzbekistan are at a crucial stage of prosperity and national rejuvenation, and bilateral relations have ushered in new historical opportunities. The two sides should take the common understandings reached between the heads of state as a guide and push for more high-quality results in all-round cooperation between China and Uzbekistan. Ninety percent of the cooperation list for priority investment projects identified by the two sides last year has been implemented, and sub-national cooperation is thriving. Both sides should build on this momentum and further increase and strengthen cooperation in key areas. Efforts should be made to accelerate the upgrading of bilateral free trade arrangements, creating conditions for the expansion and enhancement of bilateral trade. Both sides should promote cooperation in emerging sectors and create new models for cooperation. The two sides should deepen energy cooperation, ensuring Uzbekistan's stable gas supply to China and the safe operation of the China-Central Asia gas pipeline. The two sides should strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation in combating the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as transnational organized crime and terrorism.

Wang Yi said that China and Uzbekistan have always understood each other and supported each other's legitimate positions, which is what the two countries should do as all-weather comprehensive strategic partners. China is ready to make good use of the strategic dialogue mechanism with Uzbekistan, strengthen communication on major issues in a timely manner, work together to uphold non-interference in internal affairs, a basic norm of international relations, safeguard international fairness and justice, jointly practice true multilateralism, and make global governance more just.

Bakhtiyor Saidov said Uzbekistan cherishes the strategic mutual trust and brotherly friendship between the two heads of state, remains firmly committed to the position of the one-China principle, and is willing to work with China to deliver on the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state and strengthen the Uzbekistan-China all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era. He thanked China for its strong support for poverty reduction and improvement of people's livelihood in Uzbekistan, adding that Uzbekistan is willing to actively learn from China's successful experience, deepen the Belt and Road cooperation and all-round mutually beneficial cooperation with China, and push forward the construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Uzbekistan welcomes more Chinese tourists and is willing to take further measures to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries.

Bakhtiyor Saidov said in the face of the volatile international situation, solidarity and cooperation is not a choice, but a must. China is a key force for peace and progress, and Uzbekistan is willing to work with China to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, safeguard regional security and stability, and commit to the shared future of mankind. Uzbekistan attaches great importance to China-Central Asia cooperation and congratulates China on its outstanding hosting of the China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Uzbekistan fully supports China in assuming the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and believes that next year's summit will produce fruitful results.

After the meeting, the two sides signed the mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Uzbekistan.