Uzbekistan, China fast-track railway and deepen strategic partnership

Uzbekistan and China have reaffirmed their strategic partnership with fresh momentum, agreeing to fast-track major infrastructure and investment projects including the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping held high-level talks to strengthen bilateral relations and regional cooperation. A key outcome was the decision to accelerate the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, a strategic project in Central Asia.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the expanding Uzbekistan–China partnership, noting rapid progress in implementing agreements from Mirziyoyev’s January 2024 visit to China. Diplomatic engagement has grown significantly, with a new Strategic Dialogue between foreign ministers and the successful hosting of the second Regional Forum in Samarkand.

Economic collaboration is also on the rise. In 2024, trade turnover reached $14 billion, and investment project portfolios surpassed $60 billion. Technoparks and industrial zones are thriving, especially with BYD electric vehicle production. The partnership spans green energy, mining, digitalization, agriculture, and other sectors.

China’s Export-Import Bank is helping construct Tashkent’s Olympic Village, and its regional branch has opened in the Uzbek capital. Plans are underway to expand joint investment initiatives with the Silk Road Fund.

The leaders also emphasized cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the UN, SCO, and Central Asia–China framework. Notably, a key agreement was signed regarding Uzbekistan’s accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

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