Asadbek Bobojonov. Chief editor of "Uzbekistan" magazine

Today international relations play an important role in the formation of relations between countries.  It is known that relations between Uzbekistan and China have a long history. Both nations have a rich historical heritage dating back to the distant past. 

Trade routes such as the Great Silk Road have long connected regions.  This road is a symbol of peace, cooperation between East and West, and openness. The ancient narrow paths traveled by our ancestors hundreds of years ago with camel caravans are now being restored as a modern, fast-paced “Great Silk Road-2” controlled by digital technologies.

ВСТАВКА: “China is an important trade partner of Uzbekistan. Both countries are very active in trade and investment. The projects envisage the construction of railway, energy and other infrastructure facilities within the framework of “Silk Road Economic Space”, “One Belt, One Road”.  China remains the main trading partner of Uzbekistan - the amount of mutual trade is equal to 8.3 billion USD.”

On October 17-18, 2023, the third international forum “One Belt, One Road” was held in Beijing. The editor-in-chief of “O‘zbekiston” magazine A. Bobojonov took part in the event.

It should be noted that China’s initiative has become an integral part of the modern global development agenda over the past 10 years.  There is a saying in the China people “If you want to get rich, start building a road!”  Usually, Chinese people say this as advice when they wish a person a good intention or a goal.  After all, the road makes a person’s distance close, his burden light, strengthens the economy of the country, and serves to raise the standard of living of the population. Experts repeatedly note that this wisdom of the Chinese is expressed in this project.  After all, the idea put forward by the Chinese leader ten years ago has turned into a mega project that covers not only one country, but also the entire South and Central Asia, Africa and Europe.  Today, three continents, 140 countries and more than 30 international organizations, which have grasped the initiative, unanimously support “One Belt, One Road”.

         At the invitation of Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, also paid a practical visit to Beijing to participate in the same event. 

The head of our state held talks with the President of the People’s Republic of China on October 17.  Current issues on further strengthening of friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China were discussed. 

Shavkat Mirziyoyev warmly congratulated the President of the PRC on the day of the founding of China and the tenth anniversary of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative.

- In a short historical period, the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) has become an important, inclusive and open platform for cooperation on the path to common development and prosperity.

Also, the leader of our country said that the “Green Silk Road” initiative of the President of the People’s Republic of China first announced in Uzbekistan in 2016 has a deep symbolic meaning.

 Uzbekistan’s determination to deepen multifaceted relations with China was emphasized. 

It should be noted that in recent years, the volume of Chinese investments has increased fivefold, and the number of joint ventures has increased threefold. Since the beginning of this year, the volume of mutual trade has increased by 36 percent.  This indicator is expected to exceed 10 billion USD by the end of the year.

The leaders appreciated the intense cooperation in the fields of culture, education, and tourism. 

It was noted with satisfaction that interest in learning the Chinese language is growing in Uzbekistan, especially among young people. The effective activity of the Confucius Institute in Tashkent and Samarkand greatly contributes to this aspect. Plans to expand Chinese language teaching and exchange between young scholars were outlined. 

The President of Uzbekistan offered to open branches of China’s leading Tsinghua University and Pekin University in Tashkent. 

An exchange of views took place on the regional agenda and current issues of international politics.

The main events of the forum took place on October 18. 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan participated in the opening ceremony of the “One Belt, One Road” international forum and the plenary meeting on the topic “Building together the “Green Silk Road” in the way of the harmony of man and nature”. 

Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary General, heads of states and governments, heads of financial institutions also took part in the summit, which was moderated by Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China.  It was noted that this ambitious idea aimed at restoring the Great Silk Road has gained many supporters in a historically short period of time and has become a new model of international cooperation.

Uzbekistan fully supports this initiative, which was put forward by the President of the People’s Republic of China in 2016 in our country. 

Referring to the difficult environmental situation in our region, which manifests itself in the form of abnormal weather conditions, increasing droughts and dust storms, rapid land degradation and desertification, loss of biodiversity, the head of our state noted that Central Asia is one of the regions of the world that is most vulnerable in terms of consequences of climate change.

 It was noted that within the framework of the special resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, Uzbekistan is implementing a large-scale program on the creation of environmental innovation and technology zones in the Aral Sea region in order to exchange ideas and unite efforts to achieve the goals of “green” development in Central Asia, the head of Uzbekistan took the initiative to hold the Samarkand International Climate Forum in 2024.

 It was noted that our country is interested in the development of large-scale international cooperation within the framework of the “Green Silk Road”. 

In this regard, the leader of Uzbekistan shared his vision for further strengthening of mutually beneficial partnerships with China and other participants of the Belt and Road Initiative.

It was proposed to develop a Green Development Program, which includes measures and projects for transformation and digitization of economic sectors based on the requirements of “green” development, creation of sustainable infrastructure in the transport and energy sectors, establishment of “green” industrial capacities, poverty reduction and development of “smart” agriculture. 

The head of our state proposed the establishment of a “Green Financing Fund” in Uzbekistan in order to develop a low-carbon economy and clean technologies, as well as to introduce high environmental standards in the countries of the region.

Also, the leader of Uzbekistan called for reduction of restrictions and barriers in the mutual trade of “green” goods, especially agricultural products.

 It was proposed to intensify the dialogue on the transition to green energy and hold regular meetings of Ministers of the countries that joined the Belt and Road initiative. 

The President of Uzbekistan put forward the initiative to launch a scientific and information platform for the transfer of “green” knowledge and solutions on the basis of the International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea region.

Taking into account the growing shortage of qualified personnel for the field of “green” development and ecology, the head of our state proposed to develop a Joint Training and Academic Exchange Program of experts in the field of “green” development and ecology on the basis of the Central Asian University of Environmental Studies and Climate Change in cooperation with leading foreign universities and educational centers. 

In addition, the President touched on the issue of careful attitude to natural resources and the environment.

Within the framework of the One Belt, One Road initiative, he proposed to launch a Global Green Culture Development Program, which involves the holding of ethno-ecological festivals, forums, presentations and other events with the participation of well-known public figures, representatives of science, business and culture. At the end of his speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the outcomes of the forum, the ideas and proposals presented in it would be an important contribution to the creation of a “green” future of mankind. 

The members of the business conference, which took place within the framework of the Beijing conference, signed a cooperation agreement with a total value of more than 97 billion USD.  Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China made a statement about it. He noted that China would deepen cooperation in the fields of “green” infrastructure, “green” energy, and “green” transport, and strengthen support for the International Alliance for “green” development within the framework of Belt and Road initiative.  About 150 countries and more than 30 organizations signed a document on cooperation within the framework of the “One Belt, One Road” forum. The event ended in a friendly atmosphere. 

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Uzbekistan held a press conference dedicated to the end of the third international forum “One Belt, One Road”.  At the event, Ambassador Yu Jun gave information about the results of the forum, the participation of the President of Uzbekistan in the ceremony and his initiatives. 

The diplomat highly appreciated the initiatives of the head of our state Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the forum.

         - It is known that under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, issues of ecology and environmental protection occupy an important place in the agenda of the establishment of a new Uzbekistan, great attention is paid to the active development of green energy, - said Mr. Ambassador. - The speech of the head of Uzbekistan reflects the importance of striving for green development, the responsibility for the future of all mankind, which is highly appreciated by the Chinese side. The initiatives put forward in the speech are in line with Beijing’s approach to achieving green development under the Belt and Road framework.

          Ambassador Yu Jun noted the need to fully implement the medium-term program for the development of trade-economic and investment cooperation, to promote projects in priority directions, and to create conditions for the faster start-up of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.  Official Beijing expressed readiness to accept more Uzbek students and increase the number of scholarships.        

The event emphasized the need to accelerate the creation of cross-cultural centers, open the Luban workshop, and intensify cooperation and exchange of experience in the direction of poverty reduction.  The diplomat added that China is determined to consistently implement the agreements with Uzbekistan reached at the Xi'an summit.