nCa Report
On May 18, 2023, negotiations were held in Xi’an between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, which ended with the signing of 41 documents.
In particular, the heads of state put their signatures under the joint statement.
During the talks, topical issues of the extensive agenda of Uzbek-Chinese relations of comprehensive strategic partnership in a new era were thoroughly discussed, the press service of the President of Uzbekistan reports.
Special attention is paid to the exchange of experience and practical measures of cooperation in the field of combating poverty, including through the implementation of socially significant projects in the field of agriculture, land use, small and medium-sized businesses, infrastructure modernization, and improving the quality of medical services and vocational education.
Prospects for expanding mutually beneficial practical cooperation in the trade and economic sphere were discussed in detail. In focus were the promotion of joint projects, primarily in the field of creating modern industrial facilities, investment and high-tech enterprises.
Following the results of the business forum held the day before, agreements and deals worth a total of $ 25 billion were signed.
Particular attention was paid to the implementation of a full-scale program of investment and technological cooperation for the development of alternative energy, which provides for the construction of solar, wind and hydroelectric power plants, the production of photovoltaic panels, electrical equipment, transformers, batteries, as well as digitalization of management and training of specialists.
The possibilities of deepening cooperation in the production of new generation cars – the launch of modern plants for the production of electric vehicles and cars with a hybrid engine – were discussed.
The importance of working out projects in related industries was emphasized. In particular, the creation of a high-tech cluster for the production of electrical products based on deep processing of copper, lithium and rare earth metals.
In addition, mutual interest was noted in deepening and expanding cooperation in the production of plastics, chemical products, metal products, foodstuffs, building materials, finished textiles, the creation of a biotechnological cluster and many others.
The importance of the early start of practical work on the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway was emphasized.
In the humanitarian sphere, a common opinion was expressed on the need to intensify cooperation in the field of education and tourism, holding mutual days of culture, art and cinema, as well as expanding programs in the field of traditional medicine, treatment of eye and other diseases, production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
There was also an exchange of views on topical issues of the regional agenda and international politics.
Signed documents
At the end of the negotiations at the highest level, the signing ceremony of bilateral documents took place.
Mirziyoyev and Xi Jinping signed a joint statement and adopted a program for the development of comprehensive strategic partnership in a new era between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the People’s Republic of China for 2023-2027.
Signed documents:
– Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on technical and economic cooperation;
– Protocol on Amendments and Additions to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the establishment of the Uzbek-Chinese Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee;
– Agreement on the implementation of a project to develop the potential of secondary schools between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China;
– Protocol between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the General Customs Administration of the People’s Republic of China on quarantine and veterinary and sanitary requirements for the supply of poultry meat;
– Protocol between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the General Customs Administration of the People’s Republic of China on phytosanitary requirements and control in the export of grapes;
– Agreement between the Customs Committee under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the General Customs Administration of the People’s Republic of China on mutual recognition of the program of authorized economic operators;
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China on the promotion of priority investment projects;
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Information and Mass Communications Agency under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Press Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China for Cooperation in the Field of Mass Media;
– Cooperation program between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China for 2023-2024;
– Agreement on the establishment of partnership relations between the city of Tashkent and Sichuan Province;
– Agreement on the establishment of partnership relations between the Syrdarya region and Shaanxi Province;
– Agreement on the establishment of partnership relations between the Samarkand region and Shaanxi Province.
Economic agreements:
– on financing the project of construction of power transmission lines and substations;
– about the creation of a multimodal logistics center;
– on the renewal and modernization of the locomotive fleet on the basis of JSC “Uzbekistan Temir Yullari”;
– about the construction of the Uzbek-Chinese agro-industrial park;
– about the creation of an agro-innovation park;
– on the creation of the Uzbek-Chinese biotechnological cluster;
– on the expansion of the telecommunications infrastructure of Uzbektelecom JSC;
– about the production of modern cars together with the company “EXEED”;
– about the production of electric and hybrid cars together with the company “BYD Auto Industry”;
– on attracting a credit line between NBU JSC and Eximbank of China;
– on the attraction of a credit line between NBU JSC and GBRK;
– about cooperation with China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation;
– on the preparation of feasibility studies of the projects “Construction of the cascade of the Naryn HPP in Namangan region” and “Construction of the cascade of the Aigain HPP in the Bostanlyk district of the Tashkent region”;
– on cooperation in the development of telecommunication networks.
Memoranda:
– between the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Relations with Foreign Countries under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Shanghai People’s Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries;
– Between the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan on the establishment of the Uzbek-Chinese Committee for Cooperation in the field of Commercial Law;
– between the Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange and the Dalian Commodity Exchange;
– between the Poultry Association of Uzbekistan and the Chinese Livestock Association on cooperation in the poultry industry;
– between the Association “Uzcharmsanoat” of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Chinese Association of the Leather Industry for cooperation;
– between Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies and Beijing University of Foreign Languages and Culture;
– between Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies and Liaoning Pedagogical University;
– between Samarkand International Technological University and Tianjin University of Science and Technology;
– between Samarkand International Technological University and North-Eastern Electric Power University;
– between the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and Shanghai University.
The main points of the Joint Statement signed by the President of Uzbekistan and China
- The parties will firmly support each other on issues related to fundamental interests, such as national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and oppose the politicization of human rights issues.
- Both sides will never allow a third country or any organization or group to participate in actions that harm the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of another country within their own territory.
- China firmly supports the path of development that Uzbekistan has independently chosen.
- China supports Uzbekistan in pursuing a peaceful, open and pragmatic foreign policy to ensure stability and common prosperity in Central Asia and the world as a whole.
- The Chinese side noted the great importance of holding a Consultative Meeting of the heads of Central Asian States on a regular basis.
- Uzbekistan firmly supports the one-China principle and confirms that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate Government representing all of China and that Taiwan is an integral part of China’s territory.
- Both sides stressed the importance of the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.
- In order to further deepen the Sino-Uzbek comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, both sides are ready to step up the integration of the One Belt, One Road initiative and the New Uzbekistan development strategy for 2022-2026.
- The parties agreed to accelerate the development of digital trade, promote further measures to increase the volume of bilateral trade. China is ready to expand the import of high-quality agricultural products from Uzbekistan.
- China is ready to fully support Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization and provide the necessary assistance to Uzbekistan.
- Uzbekistan invites Chinese companies to participate in solar, wind and hydropower projects in Uzbekistan.
- Both sides will work together to ensure the stable operation of the China-Central Asia gas pipeline and supplies in accordance with the agreed plan.
- China is ready to take measures to simplify the entry of Uzbek citizens to China.
- The parties have completed the feasibility study of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway corridor project and are ready to jointly contribute to the completion and preparation for the start of railway construction.
- Both sides are ready to accelerate the construction of the China-Central Asia transport corridor, promote China-Central Asia rail container transportation, and ensure the smooth operation of the China-Tajikistan-Uzbekistan highway.
- Both sides will further expand cooperation in the fields of culture, education, science, sports, tourism and archeology, healthcare, and biotechnology.
- China is ready to share its own experience of poverty reduction with Uzbekistan and help Uzbekistan train specialists in poverty reduction.
- Both sides stressed the need to respect the international order based on the UN Charter and the basic principles of international law, that is, respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and upholding multilateralism with the UN at its core.
- Both sides will continue their joint fight against the “three evils”, namely, all forms of terrorism, extremism and separatism, as well as drug trafficking, smuggling of weapons and explosives and transnational organized crime.
- China is ready to explore the possibility of participating in the implementation of projects related to the improvement of the ecological, economic and social environment of the Aral Sea region within the framework of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan.
- The parties noted that the implementation of the Termez-Mazar-I-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway project is of great importance and will further strengthen the connectivity of Central and South Asia.
- The parties are ready to encourage biological research institutes of the two countries to cooperate and exchange research and development results to improve biosafety.
- The parties are ready to work with the international community to continue providing humanitarian and development assistance to Afghanistan, strengthen practical cooperation related to Afghanistan, and help Afghanistan integrate into the process of regional economic cooperation and integration.
Full text of the Statement is available here: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/zyxw/202305/t20230518_11079722.shtml
///nCa, 18 May 2023