Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Speaking at the VI Forum of think tanks "China-Central Asia", Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Uzbekistan Yu Jun emphasized that this format is an important platform for the exchange of opinions between experts from six countries within the mechanism China-Central Asia.

“The topic of the Forum is very relevant and focuses on such important issues as modernization, digital, innovative and green development, transport and logistics interconnectedness, industrial cooperation, which meet the development needs of all Central Asian countries,” the diplomat specified.

At the same time, Yu Jiong focused on cooperation within the China-Central Asia format. “Over the past year, this interaction mechanism has shown its results; it is fully consistent with the trends of the times and meets the common interests of peoples,” he explained.

Over the past years, China has been the main trading partner of the Central Asian countries. The pace of growth of investment and cooperation in the field of new energy, modern manufacturing, transport infrastructure and other areas is increasing, and the movement of people, goods and services is becoming more convenient and unhindered. At the end of 2023, trade turnover between China and the countries of Central Asia amounted to almost $90 billion, which is 27% more than in 2022. From January to April of this year. The volume of trade between China and Central Asia exceeded $28 billion, an increase of 14%.

Along with this, Yu Jun emphasized that the expected launch of the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway this year will be a big breakthrough and another flagship project within the framework of the Belt and Road, which will have significant strategic and economic significance, and also contribute to strengthening regional connectivity, accelerating economic development and modernization of countries in the region.

The event, organized by the Institute of Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly with the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was attended by over 40 leaders and experts from about 20 leading research and analytical centers, heads of diplomatic missions China and Central Asian countries in Uzbekistan.

The forum is held as part of the practical implementation of the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, announced in May 2023 at the summit of the heads of state of China and Central Asian countries in Xi’an.