Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A delegation led by Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, on a working visit to Uzbekistan, visited the Uzbek-Chinese Confucius Institute at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, accompanied by Senate Chairperson Tanzila Narbayeva.

The guests participated in the opening ceremony of the international conference titled "Confucius Institutes and Education Between Civilizations," organized in connection with the 20th anniversary of the institute’s establishment.

The event was attended by representatives of various state and educational institutions from Central Asian countries, as well as experts and scholars in the fields of Sinology and international relations.

In her speech, the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis emphasized that every step in developing bilateral relations in education and science, and in the cultural-humanitarian sphere, is important for strengthening the friendship between our peoples.

In turn, Zhao Leji highlighted that the Confucius Institute in Tashkent is one of the first such institutes established in the world. He noted that cooperation between China and Uzbekistan is based on trusting and long-standing friendly relations.

During the event, the Chinese delegation reviewed an exhibition showcasing the Confucius Institute’s achievements over the past 20 years.