Prospects for the further development of Uzbek-Chinese cooperation were discussed by Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, at a meeting in Beijing, UzDaily.uz reports.
The parties noted the consistent strengthening of strategic relations thanks to active dialogue between the leaders of the two countries. Particular attention was paid to practical cooperation in transport, trade, education, and culture. Saida Mirziyoyeva emphasized the importance of moving from general agreements to the implementation of specific joint projects.
The development of interparliamentary dialogue was particularly noted, and, according to the Uzbek side, is reaching a new level.
China remains Uzbekistan's largest trading partner. In January-June 2026, trade between the two countries reached $9.5 billion, exceeding 23% of the country's total foreign trade turnover.
The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway remains a key infrastructure project, with the potential to significantly expand transport capacity in Central Asia.
The meeting in Beijing demonstrates that the Uzbek-Chinese partnership is gradually becoming more practical and infrastructural. While trade is already the most developed area of interaction, transport projects are creating the foundation for the long-term expansion of economic ties.
The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is of particular importance. For Tashkent, it is of interest not only as an additional trade route with China but also as an opportunity to strengthen Uzbekistan's role in the emerging system of transregional transport corridors.
At the same time, the $9.5 billion figure for the first half of the year demonstrates the scale of the dependence of bilateral economic relations on the Chinese market. The next stage will likely be Uzbekistan's desire to increase not only imports from China but also exports of its own products, as well as attract Chinese technology and investment in domestic production.
Thus, the development of interparliamentary contacts complements the economic component of relations with political dialogue, creating a more sustainable institutional foundation for a long-term Uzbek-Chinese partnership.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 26, 2026