As the much anticipated China-Central Asia Summit - the first major diplomatic event that China hosts this year - to be held in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, draws near, the world watches on, paying keen attention to every detail of the event which is believed to be of monumental significance to relations between China and Central Asian countries.
The upcoming summit is also expected to usher in new development opportunities for all participating countries with fortified friendship.
As an important Central Asian country, Uzbekistan has witnessed close cooperation with China in various fields over past decades. Ambassador of Uzbekistan to China Farhod Arziev told the Global Times in an exclusive interview that "the expectations from this summit are high. First of all, new and important agreements will be reached on the further expansion of trade and economic cooperation between our countries. In particular, a Business Council is being created in the format of Central Asia-China."
According to him, all parties will start developing a strategy for a new China-Central Asia economic dialogue, which was proposed by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the virtual summit of the heads of state of Central Asia and China in January 2022.
This strategy aims to provide for the adoption of targeted measures to ensure unhindered trade and increase the volume of supplies of finished products from the countries of Central Asia to China, the formation of a common space for industrial cooperation and localization for the production of goods imported by the countries of the region using Chinese technologies.
Another important event within the framework of the summit will be the launch of the "Year of Culture and Art of the Peoples of Central Asia and China," which was also proposed by the President of Uzbekistan in order to further expand and strengthen cultural and humanitarian ties between our countries, the ambassador noted.
After the summit, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to China.
"The upcoming state visit to China will undoubtedly give new impetus to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China. Within the framework of the visit, a solid package of agreements is being prepared in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres," Arziev introduced.
Due to joint efforts, practical cooperation between the two countries is deepening in virtually all areas. Uzbekistan and China effectively cooperate within the framework of international and regional organizations, in particular, the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
"China's experience in sustainable development is very attractive to us. We actively adopt from the advanced Chinese experience," the ambassador said.
At the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, one of the regions of Uzbekistan - the Syrdarya region, is becoming a "Region of Advanced Innovations" based on the application of experience, attracting investments and technologies from China, according to the ambassador.
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