Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 18 March, the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan held an online reception and a gala concert on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Uzbekistan. 

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Uzbekistan Jiang Yan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Eldor Aripov and First Deputy Director General of the National News Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sobir Shukurov delivered a speech. 

The reception was attended by about 300 people, including heads and representatives of ministries and departments, higher educational institutions of Uzbekistan and the media of the two countries.

In her speech, looking back at the past, the Ambassador of China to Uzbekistan, Ms. Jiang Yan, listed the rich results of the development of Sino-Uzbek relations over 30 years. Political mutual trust has been raised to an unprecedented height. The countries have achieved impressive results in practical cooperation with a 140-fold increase in trade in 30 years. Cultural and humanitarian exchange is actively deepening and close ties are maintained between regions, scientists, journalists, archaeologists, etc. They are jointly fighting the "three forces of evil" and other types of crime for the sake of the security and stability of the region. They strive for the democratization of international relations and carry out close coordination within the framework of the UN, SCO, CICA, etc.

Paying attention to the future, the Chinese Ambassador highlighted such key areas as the exchange of experience in the fields of education, agriculture, poverty alleviation, sustainable development; accelerated integration of the One Belt, One Road initiative with the Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan, including the implementation of the Program for the Development of Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation for the next five years; joint construction of the "Healthy Silk Road"; coordination in the fight against the "three forces of evil", non-traditional security threats and on Afghan issues; further strengthening of friendship and spiritual rapprochement of peoples.

In a video message, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov warmly congratulated all those present on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and China and noted that over the past years the parties have laid a solid foundation for Uzbek-Chinese relations, which have acquired the character of a comprehensive strategic partnership. The Uzbek side highly appreciates China’s significant contribution to ensuring socio-economic development, increasing industrial potential, strengthening security and sovereignty of Uzbekistan.

The Minister stressed that the Uzbek side is ready with the Chinese side to further increase cooperation in the field of "digital" and "green" economy, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, combating poverty and climate change; to deepen cooperation within the framework of the One Belt, One Road Initiative, in particular on strengthening transport interconnectivity; continue common approaches to ensuring peace, maintaining regional security, countering the "three forces of evil", drug trafficking, cross-border crime, as well as constructive interaction within the framework of multilateral structures.

In his speech, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Eldor Aripov said that China is our leading trade and investment partner. I am sure that years and decades of no less productive cooperation lie ahead of us. As already noted, Uzbekistan and China have great prospects for interaction in politics, the economy, the cultural and humanitarian fields.

In his speech, the General Director of the National News Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdusaid Kuchimov, noted that the Uzbek-Chinese relations have become especially important. The experience of China in various fields is especially valuable for the Uzbek side at a new stage in the construction and development of the country. UzA is ready to further strengthen cooperation and exchange of experience with all leading Chinese media in order to widely cover the development of fruitful Uzbek-Chinese cooperation and fill bilateral relations with new content.

During the online reception, the results of the event “TOP 30 events in Sino-Uzbek relations in 30 years”, jointly organized by the Embassy and the Podrobno.uz News Agency, were also announced. Over 6,000 people across Uzbekistan sent responses, according to which 30 out of 70 events were selected. Among them are the establishment of diplomatic relations, visits between the heads of the two states and the implementation of major joint projects. 

At the end of the online reception, all guests enjoyed the Path to Spring gala concert hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan and the Embassy of China in Uzbekistan in connection with the anniversary of bilateral relations and organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Shaanxi Province, State Institution "Uzbekconcert "and the State Philharmonic of Uzbekistan. 

The Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, Mr. Hu Heping, the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, and the Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Ms. Jiang Yan, recorded a video message for the concert. Artists from the Shaanxi Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Makom Yunus Rajabi Ensemble and the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan presented unique performances demonstrating the charm of the ancient and magnificent culture of China and Uzbekistan and the deep friendship between the peoples of the two countries.