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9 June 2012

Uzbekistan and China Sign Trade and Economic, Investment and Financial Agreements Totaling $5.2 Billion

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China on June 5-7.

During his stay in the PRC, the leader of Uzbekistan also partook in the twelfth session of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of the Heads of State.

The Uzbek-Chinese dialogue at the highest level had exceptional priority significance during President Karimov's trip to China, the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan reports.

Following an official meeting ceremony characterized by the play of state anthems and performance of military tribute by the guard of honor, the head of our state met with the Chinese President Hu Jintao.

In the wake of negotiations, the PRC leader said he was delighted to meet again with an old friend of his, President Islam Karimov. China and Uzbekistan are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, which is, according to Hu Jintao, a historic event, and the visit is hence to afford a new impetus to the bilateral cooperation. The Chinese President expressed willingness for a reflective exchange of views on bilateral relations and other topics of shared interest with the leader of Uzbekistan.

The current visit has indisputably been momentous, an occasion during which the two sides took stock of the bilateral and multilateral interaction for the last twenty years since our two nations established diplomatic ties.

Crucially, the two leaders inked Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership Relations.

Acknowledging Uzbekistan's mounting economic and political potential as well as the relations of mutual confidence and respect built between our two countries, the People's Republic of China, a leading world power, has expressed interest in lifting the bilateral relations up to the level of strategic partnership.

Preparation and signing of this critical interstate document was preceded by a long and taxing work of relevant ministries and agencies from the two countries.

Productive implementation of the provisions fixed in the Declaration on Strategic Partnership is to meet the vital and longer-term interests of our two nations and facilitate consolidation of stability, of the atmosphere of peace and harmony in Central Asia.

In Uzbekistan, China is considered a great neighbor with an ancient history and unique culture, a country of keen potential, wielding by right a leading role in world economy and the one in addressing global issues.

Our two countries' views and positions match on the majority of pressing issues in international and regional politics.

The Chinese officials expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan's firm and persistent support for the well-thought-out and steadfast one-China policy of Beijing with regards to Taiwan and Tibet and the uncompromising combat against the "three evils of terrorism, extremism and separatism".

The PRC President stressed the need for keeping with trends conducive to the process of steady and robust development of Uzbek-Chinese relations. Contacts between the two nations have been consistent in all aspects of cooperation, while political mutual confidence has been shored up. The fact that the bilateral turnover has increased more than forty times within the last few years is a testimony to the swiftly growing trade between the two countries.

Highly appraising the Uzbek leader's outstanding contribution to boosting the relations of friendship and mutually advantageous cooperation that go back to many centuries, President of the People's Republic of China said he ardently supports the domestic and foreign policy of Uzbekistan and opposes interference into its internal affairs under any pretext.

Hu Jintao came forward with a number of proposals for the practical implementation of all deals reached within bilateral interaction.

First, as the Chinese leader put it, the sides are advised to enhance political confidence, raise the level of mutual support, firmly support the path the partner side has opted for, and maintain close contacts and coordination in addressing international and regional issues.

Second, the two parties should facilitate business cooperation, expand scales of trade and economic interaction, build up cooperation in energy sector, accelerate the realization of cooperation plan in non-raw and high technologies, jointly set up special economic zones as well as those of economic and technological advancement, and foster cooperation in transport infrastructure.

Third, the two nations are to embark on close cooperation in security, in countering the "three evils", trafficking, and transnational organized crime. Fourth, our countries are recommended to enlarge cultural cooperation, boost exchange and dialogue, especially among youths, deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the foundations of friendship.

One of the key directions of interaction to fully suit the interests of the entire region is the development of transport and communications. In this regard, the two sides expressed comprehensive support for a soonest execution of the project to construct the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway designed to secure a shortest transport route from the PRC to Central and South Asia.

Uzbek and Chinese officials vowed satisfaction with the conclusion of more than 40 trade-economic, investment and finance agreements and contracts totaling 5.2 billion US dollars.

"We will always stay a trusted friend and reliable partner of Uzbekistan," China's President added toward the end of talks.

As part of the visit, President Islam Karimov met with Premier of the PRC State Council Wen Jiabao, as well as representatives of highest political leadership in China - Vice President of the PRC Xi Jinping and Vice Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang.

Drawing on the meetings and talks, Islam Karimov expressed profound gratitude for a traditionally warm hospitality and an exceptionally open approach of Chinese partners to the enhancement of bilateral relations. As the head of our state noted, "The Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership Relations reflects the degree and scales of our bilateral ties, and is a requisite of times. It is to become a powerful stimulus and an effective factor for the expansion of interaction in the longer run."