President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in his speech at the China-Central summit, noted the symbolism of holding the summit in ancient Xi’an, which for many centuries served as the starting point of the Great Silk Road, which has become an important factor of civilizational development, connectivity and progress throughout the Eurasian continent.
“Today, in a difficult international situation, our summit is of particular importance,” he stressed.
“Our countries, having overcome the trials of the pandemic, faced the negative consequences of the global crisis of confidence. Serious gaps in sustainable transport and logistics chains, which is especially sensitive for Central Asia, challenges to food and energy security, risks of social tension against the backdrop of rising import inflation and other problems require us to coordinate more closely and interact in practice,” Mirziyoyev continued.
He noted that today it is a different Central Asia – it is cohesive and strong, open to dialogue and full-scale partnership.
Uzbekistan supports the agenda of the meeting and the main provisions of the Xi’an Declaration.
“In this regard, I share the views on the importance of forming effective mechanisms of interaction in the main areas of regional cooperation. It is primarily about trade, investment, transport, humanitarian ties,” the President of Uzbekistan said.
At the same time, it is fundamentally important to develop a long-term agenda, long-term plans and tasks of multifaceted cooperation for decades to come.
According to Mirziyoyev, special attention should be paid to the establishment of joint work of the leading “think tanks” of countries. Analytical institutes, scientists and specialists will have to develop strategic approaches, comprehensive recommendations and solutions, “breakthrough” projects of regional and global scale.
Uzbekistan is ready to provide a discussion platform and host the first International Expert Conference on the integration of national development strategies of Central Asian countries and China in Samarkand next year.
Speaking about the most pressing issues of regional cooperation, Mirziyoyev highlighted the formation of conditions for the sustainable development of countries and the region as a whole. And here the central place is given to improving the standard of living of the population and the effectiveness of the fight against poverty.
“The active use of advanced Chinese experience in the implementation of the relevant national program has allowed over one million of our citizens to be removed from the category of needy only over the past year,” the President of Uzbekistan said
Uzbekistan supports the setting up a new economic dialogue and the strengthening of the connectivity of the countries of Central Asia and China.
“We consider it quite achievable to double the trade turnover of the countries of the region with China by 2030, primarily due to the balanced growth of mutual supplies of industrial goods and agricultural products, the formation of an effective trade and logistics infrastructure and modern wholesale distribution networks, the introduction of a system of “green” and express corridors, the creation of common e-commerce platforms“, – said the Uzbek leader.
In this regard, the importance of the annual holding of export-import exhibitions, business and investment forums, the creation of the Business Council of Central Asia and China was noted.
In order to create favorable framework conditions and the necessary legal framework, Uzbekistan proposes to consider the possibility of adopting a multilateral agreement on the promotion of mutual trade and investment promotion.
The issues of deepening industrial cooperation, attracting digital technologies and introducing innovations, especially in agriculture, can be effectively resolved through direct interregional contacts with the provinces of China.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to hold a forum and exhibition of cities and regions of Central Asia and China in Uzbekistan this year to establish practical cooperation, strengthen twinning and partnership relations.
Speaking about the strategic importance of developing safe and shortest transport corridors connecting China with the Central Asian region, with access to Europe, the Middle East and South Asia, Mirziyoyev called the Trans-Eurasian Highway a priority project for the revival of the Great Silk Road with China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and railway as an important component.
In the future, the implementation of this project and the construction of the Trans-Afghan Corridor will allow to connect China with the countries of South Asia by alternative routes.
Mirziyoyev called for the integration of national programs for the development of transport communications and on this basis to develop a unified long-term strategy.
He suggested paying special attention to the issues of cooperation on the climate agenda and “green energy”.
“Unfortunately, the pace of development of energy infrastructure in Central Asia does not keep pace with the speed of industrialization and urbanization, as well as demographic growth. Today, this is indeed a very serious challenge to the long-term sustainable development of our countries.
Taking into account China’s technological leadership in the field of solar, wind and hydropower, as well as existing financial instruments to support projects, we consider it necessary to expand close scientific and practical partnership in alternative energy,” the President of Uzbekistan said.
He expressed readiness for fruitful cooperation in addressing environmental challenges of the Aral Sea region, protecting biodiversity, preserving glaciers and soil, and introducing water-saving technologies.
“We highly appreciate the current level of regional dialogue on stability and security issues. We take a principled position on the issues of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our countries. Uzbekistan supports China’s global initiative based on the principles of indivisibility of security and peaceful development in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,” President Mirziyoyev said.
Uzbekistan proposes to establish close cooperation between the special services and law enforcement agencies of the Central Asian states and China in the fight against the “three evils”, drug trafficking, cross-border and cybercrime.
Touching upon the Afghan issue, the President of Uzbekistan urged his colleagues to make full use of the platforms of the SCO Contact Group and the neighboring countries of Afghanistan to develop a coordinated position and take measures to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in this country.
He also expressed hope for the support of Uzbekistan’s initiative to create a high-level International group under the auspices of the United Nations to develop an algorithm for fulfilling mutual obligations of the world community and the current Afghan authorities.
In addition, Mirziyoyev proposed to launch a mechanism for meetings of the secretaries of the Security Councils in the Central Asia-China format.
The importance of continuing regular humanitarian exchanges, exhibitions, concerts and tours, joint sporting events with the broad involvement of young people was noted. In this regard, it is proposed to hold a joint Forum of young talents next year.
President Mirziyoyev stressed that the Central Asian countries and China are strategic partners and reliable friends.
“And today, in the conditions of increasing confrontation and unpredictability in international relations, we provide mutual support and together build a prosperous future for our peoples,” the President Mirziyoyev said.
In this regard, Uzbekistan supports the initiative of the Chinese side to hold regular meetings to strengthen friendship and partnership between the Central Asian nations and China. ///nCa, 19 May 2023