Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- From 29 February to 1 March, a delegation of the Government of Uzbekistan visited the city of Kashgar in the People’s Republic of China.

As part of the visit, on 1 March, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov held a bilateral meeting with a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Ma Xingrui.

It was noted that the friendly and multifaceted partnership between Uzbekistan and China is developing at a high level, thanks to the close, cordial and fraternal ties between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of China Xi Jinping.

The high-level meeting, which took place in Beijing in January this year, marked the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations. Cooperation between Uzbekistan and China has been raised to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The events held during this visit also created favorable conditions for the further development of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

During the January visit of the President of Uzbekistan to China, investment agreements worth more than US$52 billion were reached.

In 2023, trade volumes between Uzbekistan and China reached a record level of almost US$14 billion.

It was noted that Uzbekistan and China have every opportunity to increase trade turnover in the near future to US$20 billion.

The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region plays an important role in the development of mutual trade and economic exchanges as a key connecting gateway.

During the meeting between Abdulla Aripov and Ma Xingrui, the parties discussed the implementation of agreements reached at a high level, issues of import of modern technologies and equipment, as well as export of textiles, copper, mineral fertilizers, agricultural and other products.

Issues of cooperation in the transport and logistics, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres were also discussed.