Wang Yi meets with Uzbek counterpart

Wang Yi meets with Uzbek counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov on Friday to boost cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and digital innovation.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China’s Foreign Minister, met with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov on Friday. The meeting focused on deepening bilateral ties that have now reached the level of an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era, thanks to the close leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Both sides acknowledged expanding cooperation across trade, investment, visa facilitation, and tourism, with particular success in launching Uzbekistan’s Year of Tourism in China.

Wang emphasized China’s readiness to fast-track cooperation in priority sectors, including accelerating the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. He also proposed expanding collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital trade, and climate change. These initiatives, he noted, would enhance modernization and development in both nations, building a broader portfolio of shared achievements.

He reaffirmed China’s foreign policy toward neighboring countries, characterized by sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness. Under the direction of the Central Conference on Neighborhood Diplomacy, China is committed to working closely with Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states to strengthen mutual trust and build a cohesive China–Central Asia community with a shared future.

Saidov commended China’s development under President Xi’s leadership, describing it as a testament to China’s deep-rooted civilization. He reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to the one-China principle and pledged continued support, emphasizing the enduring brotherhood and reliability between the two nations.

Saidov also recognized the growing importance of the China–Central Asia cooperation mechanism amid global uncertainties. He praised China’s leadership role in global governance, welcomed its major global initiatives, and voiced support for its neighborhood diplomacy principles. He also reiterated Uzbekistan’s support for WTO norms and its readiness to coordinate with China to uphold multilateralism and address global challenges.

Addressing tariff disputes, Wang criticized the protectionist actions of certain countries, accusing them of initiating trade wars under selfish pretenses. He asserted that China, committed to fairness and international law, will join hands with other nations to resist such unilateralism and defend global order based on rules, not power.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to enhance collaboration within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Saidov expressed Uzbekistan’s full support for China’s SCO chairmanship and conveyed confidence in the success of the upcoming Tianjin Summit, which he said will inject fresh momentum into regional cooperation.