Uzbekistan and China have officially concluded their bilateral negotiations on Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Kun.uz reported following the meeting between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
As one of the WTO’s key members, China’s endorsement marks a major step forward in Uzbekistan’s path to full membership. The conclusion of these talks paves the way for similar agreements with other member states and is expected to accelerate the overall accession process.
According to both sides, bilateral trade reached $14 billion in 2024, while the portfolio of joint investment projects has surpassed $60 billion—underscoring the high level of economic integration between the two countries.
The talks also focused on strategic cooperation in green energy, industrial development, digital transformation, logistics, and education. Particular emphasis was placed on advancing the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project and strengthening humanitarian exchanges.
The conclusion of WTO-related negotiations with Beijing represents not only a deepening of Uzbek-Chinese economic relations but also a key milestone in Uzbekistan’s broader strategy to integrate into the global trade system.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
June 17, 2025