2nd Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum:  New Horizons of Collaboration

On 1–2 June 2025, the Second Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum was held at the Silk Road Samarkand International Tourist Center, providing a key platform to advance the strategic partnership between two countries.

The forum focused on deepening interregional cooperation, strengthening business and investment collaboration, and exploring new opportunities for sustainable development.

High-Level Participation and Strategic Dialogue

The forum gathered over 2,800 participants, including representatives from business sectors, government institutions, regional administrations, and academic circles of both countries. The Uzbek delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, with participation from Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Ilzat Kasimov.

In his opening address, Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev highlighted that China is Uzbekistan’s leading trade and investment partner. In the past five years:

• Bilateral trade has doubled, reaching $13 billion in 2024.
• Chinese direct investment in Uzbekistan has increased fivefold compared to 2017.
• The number of joint ventures has tripled, surpassing 3,700 projects.

Khodjaev emphasized that the countries are jointly implementing a diverse portfolio of projects in vital sectors such as energy, chemicals, machinery, textiles, construction materials, consumer electronics, and agriculture. He also expressed optimism that the forum’s business sessions and product exhibitions would result in new high-impact agreements.

Focus on Regional Logistics: China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway

A major topic at the forum was the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project, which is currently under construction.

This strategic corridor is expected to significantly boost Uzbekistan’s transit and logistics potential by offering a shorter and more efficient land route linking East Asia to Central Asia and beyond. The project aligns with broader regional connectivity efforts and supports Uzbekistan’s ambition to become a key hub in Eurasian trade.

Bilateral and Interregional Engagements

Throughout the forum, bilateral meetings were held with representatives from multiple Chinese provinces and autonomous regions, including:

• Shaanxi
• Shandong
• Heilongjiang
• Gansu
• Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
• Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
• Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

These discussions focused on expanding regional partnerships, launching new joint ventures, and deepening interregional cooperation in fields ranging from infrastructure to technology and industry.

Additionally, negotiations were conducted with representatives of 20 leading Chinese companies, including:

• Shaanxi Construction Engineering
• Yalan Textile
• Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry

The presence of these firms reflects growing Chinese interest in Uzbekistan’s market and the shared goal of fostering mutually beneficial industrial cooperation.

Thematic Sessions: Broadening the Scope of Cooperation

The forum’s agenda included panel discussions on key themes such as:

• Science and Education
• Innovation and Technology
• Agricultural Development
• Women’s Empowerment

These thematic sessions demonstrated the multi-dimensional nature of Uzbekistan–China relations, which increasingly span not only economic but also social, humanitarian, and technological spheres.

Conclusion: A Platform for Future Growth

The forum concluded with the signing of several bilateral agreements and the opening of a joint exhibition, showcasing the products and innovations of Uzbek and Chinese companies. This further confirmed the strong mutual commitment to deepening cooperation and expanding economic ties.

The Second Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum has thus reinforced the foundation for long-term strategic collaboration. It not only brought tangible investment opportunities but also highlighted the evolving partnership that aligns with both nations’ visions for inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven development.