Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 3 July, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with President of China Xi Jinping during his working visit to Astana.

President of Uzbekistan expressed sincere gratitude to President Xi Jinping for supporting reforms in Uzbekistan and for attention to enhancing Uzbek-Chinese relations of friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership.

The leaders noted significant progress in bilateral cooperation in recent years, particularly emphasizing the implementation of agreements reached during Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to China in January this year.

Contacts at the level of governments, parliaments, and foreign policy departments have noticeably intensified. By the end of the year, the second session of the Strategic Dialogue of Foreign Ministers is planned to be held in Tashkent, and a visit of the Chinese parliamentary delegation to Uzbekistan is expected.

Trade, economic, and investment cooperation between the countries is developing dynamically. Last year, the trade turnover reached US$14 billion, with potential to increase to US$20 billion. The current portfolio of investment projects exceeds US$50 billion, and over US$3 billion of Chinese investments have been implemented in Uzbekistan since the beginning of the year.

The leaders agreed to accelerate the adoption of strategic cooperation programs in infrastructure, industrial cooperation, agriculture, and "green" energy. The launch of the Uzbek-Chinese technopark and the production of BYD electric vehicles in the Jizzakh region were highlighted.

Cooperation with Chinese financial institutions is also expanding. An investment platform has been created with the Silk Road Fund, and the China Eximbank is completing the construction of the Olympic Village in Tashkent, where a regional branch of this bank is also planned to be opened.

Interregional exchanges have intensified: heads of all regions of Uzbekistan have visited China, and delegations from various provinces of China have visited Uzbekistan. The second Forum of Regions is planned for next year.

President Mirziyoyev particularly emphasized President Xi Jinping’s support in poverty alleviation efforts and proposed adopting a long-term program to exchange experiences in this area.

The importance of starting the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which holds strategic significance for the region under the "Belt and Road Initiative," was underscored.

The leaders exchanged views on current regional and international agendas, reaffirming Uzbekistan’s consistent support for the "One China" policy and the fight against the "three forces of evil."

Close cooperation within the frameworks of the UN, SCO, the "Central Asia-China" format, and other international and regional structures will continue.

President Mirziyoyev wished President Xi Jinping success in chairing the SCO and emphasized the need to strengthen partnership in tourism, science, education, and Chinese language learning.

In the near future, Tashkent will host the Confucius Institutes Forum in Central Asia, and the opening of branches of Chinese universities is planned, along with the introduction of the Chinese vocational education system "Lu Ban’s Workshop." It was proposed to hold the second Educational Forum next year.

In conclusion of the talks, President of Uzbekistan invited President Xi Jinping to visit Uzbekistan. The meeting took place in a traditionally trusting, open, and friendly atmosphere.