by Ulugbek Ruzimatov
Editor-in-Chief of Newspaper “Namangan Sadosi” (The Sound of Namangan), Uzbekistan
China has long been known as a country of new inventions and innovations. In our Uzbekistan, children are given the first knowledge about the ancient Chinese state through world history textbooks from the 5th grade. The popularity of this mysterious land of discoveries with the Great Wall of China is imprinted in the childhood memories of Uzbek children.
We know that medicine, science, agriculture, and even military leadership have been highly developed in China since ancient times, and China has left an indelible mark in world history with its work in this field.
We know that the country, which has gained fame with such greatness in history, is now the most advanced country in all directions.
China is notable for its large-scale reforms over the past decade, which has led to widely recognized achievements. At the heart of these achievements lies the creative power, hard work and talent of the Chinese people, who are boldly taking steps towards modernization. Nowadays, the country has acquired a completely new image. Its people’s well-being is constantly increasing. In the last ten years, the People’s Republic of China has become a powerful country in the world. It has achieved great scientific-technological and innovative progress. It has created a unique ecosystem for economic and business development. Today, China, as a responsible participant in important international processes, occupies a leading position in the world economy and management. In this regard, President Si Tsinpin’s global initiatives on development, security and dialogue between civilizations are making a significant contribution to solving global problems and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Uzbekistan and China are united by a common desire to ensure regional and international cooperation, the central role of the UN in overcoming global threats, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and commitment to multilateral cooperation. Uzbekistan’s position on the “One China” policy and the fight against the “three evil forces” remains unchanged.
Uzbekistan is actively participating in various programs within the implementation of China’s “One Place, One Road” initiative, which has become a cohesive force on a global scale. For Uzbekistan, “Makon va yul” is not just an infrastructural project, but an important link of global interdependence that overcomes the transport distance of regions.
This points to the importance of starting practical work on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which will be an important component of the Transregional Transport and Transit Bridge within the framework of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. is also relevant.
As we dwell on the essence of relations between Uzbekistan and China, on January 24 of this year, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Si Tsinpin held talks in Beijing with the participation of members of official delegations.
In particular, the heads of state noted that a strong momentum has been achieved in the development of bilateral relations in recent years. It was noted with great satisfaction that relations at all levels are becoming active, political dialogue is strengthening, and our countries are supporting each other on important issues.
Trade, economic and investment cooperation is developing rapidly. In recent years, the volume of investments from China to the economy of Uzbekistan has increased fivefold, and the number of joint ventures has increased threefold. By the end of last year, the trade volume reached 14 billion dollars. A unanimous opinion was expressed that in the near future there is every possibility to increase it to 20 billion dollars.
It was agreed to prepare and adopt cooperation programs in the fields of infrastructure, industrial cooperation, technology transfer in agriculture and “green” energy.
We would like to highlight today’s high level of effective financial and technical cooperation with the leading banks of China, the Silk Road Fund and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
In this regard, it is of great importance that agreements have been reached on the expansion of financial means of supporting investment projects, including the creation of a joint platform, as well as the decision of China Eximbank to open a regional office for Central Asia in Tashkent.
Uzbekistan is also interested in establishing technical training centers, learning China’s experience in providing social protection and insurance, targeted assistance to the population.
These figures are, of course, factual examples of today’s rapidly developing China. What the above-mentioned 5th graders from Uzbekistan learned about China in the history textbook will not become such a myth. Because the country that did not stop growing even in those times is spreading new knowledge and new initiatives to the whole world today. As a journalist, this is my vision of China.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.