Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Uzbekistan

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May 18, 2023

  1. At the invitation of President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, President Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan will pay a state visit to the People’s Republic of China from May 18 to 19, 2023. The two heads of state held talks in a warm and friendly atmosphere, exchanged in-depth views on China-Uzbekistan relations, cooperation in various fields between the two countries, and international and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus.
  2. The two sides spoke highly of the “Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Uzbekistan” signed in Samarkand on September 15, 2022.

Focusing on the bright future of the two countries and the realization of common prosperity, the two sides will comprehensively enhance the level of practical cooperation in various fields, and continue to enrich the connotation of China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.

The two sides will expand mutually beneficial cooperation, consolidate friendship and partnership, and practice a community of shared future at the bilateral level.

  1. China speaks highly of Uzbekistan’s major achievements in political, economic and social reforms under the leadership of President Mirziyoyev, as well as the considerable progress Uzbekistan has made in national development since independence.

China believes that under the leadership of President Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan will smoothly advance the “New Uzbekistan” 2022-2026 development strategy and fully realize various national development goals.

Uzbekistan warmly congratulates the complete success of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and Chairman Xi Jinping’s re-election as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the State. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, we will build a modern socialist country in an all-round way, achieve the second centenary goal, and comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization.

Fourth, the two sides will firmly support each other on issues related to core interests such as national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and oppose the politicization of human rights issues.

The two sides will never allow a third country or any organization or group to engage in acts that damage the other country’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity within its own territory.

China firmly supports the development path independently chosen by Uzbekistan, and supports Uzbekistan in steadily advancing major domestic political agendas and social and economic reforms.

China supports Uzbekistan in pursuing a peaceful, open and pragmatic foreign policy to promote stability and common prosperity in Central Asia and the world at large.

China warmly congratulates Uzbekistan on successfully holding the referendum on the new constitution. The Constitution is a solid guarantee for continuing to implement the long-term strategy of national development and improving the well-being of the people.

  1. China speaks highly of Uzbekistan’s role in deepening regional cooperation and good-neighborly friendship, strengthening relations with neighboring countries, reducing potential conflicts in the region, increasing investment attraction, and demonstrating the “Central Asian partnership spirit”.

The Chinese side pointed out that it is of great significance to hold the Central Asian Heads of State Consultative Meeting on a regular basis, which provides a powerful dialogue platform for constructive discussion of urgent issues in the region.

  1. Uzbekistan firmly supports the one-China principle and reaffirms that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Reiterating that it will not conduct any form of official exchanges with Taiwan, and firmly supports the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and all efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification.

Both sides emphasized the importance of the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

  1. The two sides agreed that the diplomacy of the head of state provides the most solid political guarantee for the development of China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era. The two sides will maintain close high-level exchanges, deepen exchanges of experience in state governance and administration, and continuously enhance strategic and political mutual trust.

The two sides will maintain regular meetings and consultations at all levels, exchange views and coordinate positions on bilateral relations and major international issues of common concern in a timely manner.

  1. The two sides are willing to further deepen the exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries, support the cooperation between the National People’s Congress of China and the Supreme Council of Uzbekistan, and promote the close exchanges between the friendly groups of the two legislative bodies.
  2. In order to continue to deepen the China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, the two sides are willing to step up the integration of the “Belt and Road” initiative and the “New Uzbekistan” 2022-2026 development strategy, and adopt the “New Era Comprehensive Partnership between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Uzbekistan”. Strategic Partnership Development Plan (2023-2027)”.
  3. The two sides spoke highly of the overall planning and coordinating role played by the China-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee and its sub-committees in deepening all-round cooperation between the two countries, and agreed to continue to actively cooperate under this mechanism.
  4. The two sides will jointly implement the “China-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation Plan (2022-2026)” signed on February 5, 2022.

The two sides agreed to accelerate the development of digital trade, promote further measures to increase bilateral trade volume, explore new growth points for trade cooperation between the two countries, and promote the balanced development of bilateral trade. China is willing to expand imports of high-quality agricultural products from Uzbekistan, and will speed up the approval of animal and plant quarantine permits for specific categories of agricultural products and animal products.

The two sides are willing to continue to consolidate and give full play to the potential of the bilateral investment cooperation working group and e-commerce working group, make good use of the China-Uzbekistan investment cooperation cloud platform, and actively implement the investment cooperation documents between the two countries on strengthening the digital economy and green development.

The two sides are willing to rely on the “China-Central Asia Industry and Investment Cooperation Forum” to jointly promote industry and investment cooperation.

China is willing to fully support Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization and provide necessary assistance to Uzbekistan.

  1. The two sides believe that energy cooperation is an important part of bilateral relations, and it is of great significance to expand cooperation in the field of renewable energy and adopt green energy.

Uzbekistan welcomes Chinese companies to participate in solar power, wind power and hydropower projects in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is willing to introduce Chinese technology and capital, implement localization of renewable energy projects and related equipment production in Uzbekistan, and jointly train professionals.

The two sides will work together to ensure the stable operation of the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline and supply according to the agreed plan.

  1. The two sides stated that the “Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Simplifying Visa Procedures for Business Personnel” signed in 2019 has opened up broad prospects for consolidating bilateral relations and developing bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation.

The two sides are willing to enhance the level of facilitation of bilateral personnel exchanges. China appreciates Uzbekistan’s 10-day visa-free entry policy for Chinese citizens and is willing to take facilitation measures for Uzbek citizens to travel to China.

  1. The two sides believe that the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project is of historical significance for strengthening the connectivity between the two countries and the region. The two parties are satisfied with the completion of the feasibility study of the project, and are willing to jointly promote the follow-up work and make preparations for the start of railway construction.

The two sides are willing to accelerate the construction of the China-Central Asia transportation corridor, promote the “China-Central Asia” railway container transportation, ensure the smooth operation of the China-Takistan-Uzbekistan Highway, tap the potential of the China-Takistan-Uzbekistan Highway, and take effective measures to increase the volume of cargo.

  1. The two sides will further expand cooperation in the fields of culture, education, science, sports, tourism, and archaeology, and strengthen friendly exchanges among news media, educational and academic institutions, friendship associations, art groups, and youth. The two sides emphasized that local cooperation between the two countries should be expanded and the establishment of sister province-state relations should be encouraged.
  2. The two sides attach great importance to health and biotechnology cooperation, and welcome the joint production of vaccines between China and Uzbekistan. They will further promote cooperation in the entire vaccine industry chain and joint drug research and development, and help Uzbekistan establish a regional vaccine R&D center and biotechnology center.

China is willing to help Uzbekistan cultivate medical and health talents, continue to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Uzbekistan in the fields of disease prevention and control, health emergency response, telemedicine, and traditional medicine, and jointly promote the construction of a human health community.

  1. Uzbekistan spoke highly of China’s historic achievements and valuable experience in poverty alleviation. China is willing to share its own poverty reduction experience with Uzbekistan and help Uzbekistan train poverty reduction experts. The two sides will give full play to the role of the Poverty Reduction Cooperation Subcommittee of the China-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, and contribute to improving the well-being of the Uzbek people and promoting the sustainable development of the country.
  2. The two sides spoke highly of the China-Central Asia Mechanism, believing it to be an important platform for deepening multilateral cooperation. The two sides are willing to work with other parties to give full play to the strategic leading role of head of state diplomacy, and accelerate the establishment and improvement of the ministerial meeting mechanism in key areas under the China-Central Asia mechanism.

The two sides welcomed the successful launch of the People’s Year of Culture and Art between China and Central Asian countries, and are willing to continue to work with all parties to successfully host the event.

  1. The two sides emphasized the need to abide by the international order based on the UN Charter and basic principles of international law, that is, to respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and to uphold multilateralism with the UN at its core.

The two sides will strengthen mutual support and collaboration in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, exchange views and coordinate positions on major international and regional issues of common concern in a timely manner, and jointly address global and regional challenges.

  1. The two sides believe that security and development are prominent issues facing the international community today. Uzbekistan speaks highly of China’s global development initiatives, global security initiatives and global civilization initiatives, and believes that the above-mentioned initiatives are of great significance to the realization of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations and the maintenance of world peace and security.

China welcomes the “Samarkand Solidarity Initiative – For Common Security and Prosperity”, which aims to maintain peace and stability, carry out extensive international cooperation, and promote sustainable development of mankind.

Uzbekistan supports the UN General Assembly resolution on “promoting international cooperation for peaceful use in the field of international security” proposed by China.

  1. The two sides will continue to jointly combat the “three forces”, namely all forms of terrorism, extremism and separatism, as well as drug trafficking, smuggling of arms, ammunition and explosives, and transnational organized crime. The two sides will continue to consolidate bilateral cooperation in joint efforts to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking, money laundering, economic crimes and cross-border corruption.
  2. The two sides are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in emergency management, carry out practical cooperation in the fields of disaster prevention, reduction and relief, safe and green production, and emergency rescue, continue to deepen cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and work together to improve the level of emergency management. China welcomes Uzbekistan to participate in the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” international cooperation mechanism for natural disaster prevention and emergency management and the China-Central Asia emergency management cooperation mechanism.
  3. The Chinese side believes that it is of great significance for the United Nations General Assembly to pass the “Special Resolution on Declaring the Aral Sea Area an Ecological Innovation and Technology Zone” proposed by the Uzbekistan side. This resolution will help save the Aral Sea, restore and improve the surrounding environment, Protect natural resources and improve the quality of life of people in the region.

China is willing to study the possibility of participating in the implementation of projects related to improving the ecology and economic and social environment of the Aral Sea region under the framework of the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security Partnership in the Aral Sea Region.

  1. China welcomes the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the “Resolution on Strengthening Central Asia and South Asia Connectivity” proposed by the President of Uzbekistan, and is willing to deepen cooperation under the framework of the resolution to jointly promote regional connectivity.

The two sides pointed out that the implementation of the Termez-Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway project is of great significance and will further strengthen the connectivity of Central Asia and South Asia.

  1. The two sides are willing to jointly promote global biosecurity governance. Support and encourage biological scientific research institutions of the two countries to cooperate and share research and development results to improve biosecurity and people’s life and health in the region.
  2. The two sides are willing to strengthen the coordination of positions in the international governance of cyberspace, and promote the establishment of a more fair and reasonable global Internet governance system.
  3. The two sides reaffirmed that a peaceful, stable, developed and prosperous Afghanistan conforms to the common interests of Afghanistan and countries in the region, respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity, does not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, and supports the “Afghan-led, Afghan-dominated All” basic principles. The two sides are willing to work with the international community to continue to provide 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.

China speaks highly of the successful holding of the Fourth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Afghanistan’s Neighboring Countries in Samarkand on April 13, 2023.

China believes that Uzbekistan’s proposal to establish an international negotiating group on the Afghan issue with the support of the United Nations is of great significance.

  1. The two sides believe that the meeting between the two heads of state has made an inestimable contribution to the further development of China-Uzbekistan relations. President Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan thanked President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China for his warm and friendly reception of the Uzbek delegation, and invited President Xi Jinping to visit Uzbekistan at a time convenient for both parties.

President of the People’s Republic of China

Xi Jinping

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Shavkat Mirziyoyev

 

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