Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- China is ready to contribute to the new construction and rehabilitation of Uzbekistan’s road infrastructure, especially the construction of highways, high-speed railways, as well as the modernization of water pipelines, electrical wires and networks. This was stated by the Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan Yu Jun.

The Chinese diplomat noted that Uzbekistan is one of the first countries that support the initiative and take an active part in the construction of the “One Belt, One Road” (BRI), and at the same time is a beneficiary of cooperation.

Over the past 10 years, cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the BRI has achieved positive results, the ambassador added.

“First, political communication continues to deepen. The Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee and its subcommittees play an important role; the integration of the BRI initiative and the construction of the “New Uzbekistan” continues to deepen, laying a solid foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation. The parties are also making joint efforts to improve the China-Central Asia mechanism, conduct dialogue in various fields and constantly fill bilateral relations with new content,” the Chinese Ambassador emphasized.

“Secondly, trade, economic and investment cooperation is strengthening. China is Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner and the main source of investment. According to Uzbekistan statistics, from January to September this year, the volume of bilateral trade between China and Uzbekistan reached US$9.4 billion, increasing by more than 36% compared to the same period last year,” Yu Jun noted.

The diplomat noted that since 2017, China’s total investments in Uzbekistan have increased 4 times and reached US$11 billion. If you look at this year’s statistics, China has already become the first investment partner of Uzbekistan according to statistics, he added.

According to the diplomat, the number of Chinese companies has increased over the past 5 years and exceeded 1900. A large number of joint projects have been implemented in various fields, such as infrastructure, chemical industry, energy, water management, transport, communications, etc., which brings positive contributions to the economic development of Uzbekistan and improving the living standards of the people.

“Thirdly, the level of transport connectivity is increasing. Currently, the China-Central Asia gas pipeline passing through Uzbekistan is operating stably, and the efficiency of cross-border transportation along the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and the China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan railway is ensured,” the ambassador said.

Yu Jun noted that thanks to the BRI initiative, Central Asian countries have gained convenient and efficient access to the sea in the east. Through the port of Lianyungang in Jiangsu Province of China, delivery of goods from Uzbekistan to other countries such as Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia has become the norm.

“As for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, this project is important for improving the China-Central Asia-West Asia economic corridor and helps to simplify international transport and ensure the security of the international supply chain. The feasibility study of the project has now been completed. The three parties are intensifying the coordination of specific work, trying to create conditions for the speedy start of construction,” the diplomat noted.

“As you know, China has a global reputation in the field of infrastructure construction, and we are also ready to make greater contributions to the new construction and rehabilitation of Uzbekistan’s road infrastructure, especially the construction of highways, high-speed railways, as well as the modernization of water pipelines, electrical wires, and networks,” he said Yu Jun.

“Fourthly, the areas of cooperation are constantly expanding. Rapid cooperation dynamics are observed in new areas such as green development, modern agriculture and poverty reduction.

The Chinese enterprise "Shandong Heavy Industry" together with UzAuto Motors created a joint venture UZ TRUCK AND BUS MOTORS and last month produced the 3000th truck in Samarkand. Brands such as BYD and Chery are also planning to open factories in Uzbekistan. Many wind energy and photovoltaic projects are being actively promoted in Bukhara and Kashkadarya regions,” noted the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China.

“Fifthly, the pace of humanitarian exchange has increased. Contacts between people on both sides are constantly expanding. Cooperation in the fields of education, culture, media, healthcare, etc. is deepening. Close ties are being created between universities. Various cultural events, seminars and other interesting events are organized. The rich historical, cultural and tourism resources of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are attracting more and more Chinese tourists. Direct flights from the Chinese city of Urumqi to Samarkand were opened in the middle of this month, facilitating the movement of people between the two countries. In the future, the potential for the development of tourism cooperation will be revealed even more,” he said

Chinese Ambassador Yu Jun noted that in the future, China is ready to work with Uzbekistan to faithfully implement important agreements between the leaders of the two countries and jointly promote high-quality joint construction of the BRI in order to push forward the creation of a community of shared destiny between China and Uzbekistan.