导语：By:Ambassador of Uzbekistan to China Mr. Farhod Arziev
REMARKS BY THE AMBASSADOR
(24 July 2026, 5:30 p.m.)
Good afternoon, distinguished guests, distinguished Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, esteemed journalists, heads of analytical and cultural institutions, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends!
Allow me to extend a special welcome to Mr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization; Mr. Eldor Tulyakov, Director of the Development Strategy Center; and Mr. Gao Mingbo, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.
It is a great pleasure and honour for us to welcome all of you to today's media event entitled "UZBEKISTAN-CHINA: HERITAGE THAT UNITES CIVILIZATIONS"
As part of today's event, we have organized an exhibition of video and photographic materials dedicated to the rich history and culture of Uzbekistan, as well as to the country's modern development. The exhibition reflects the most significant milestones and achievements of our nation's development throughout the years of Independence. As you know, this year we are widely celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Particular attention in the exhibition has been devoted to the process of building the New Uzbekistan.
I would also like to emphasize that today we are presenting to your attention the Center for Islamic Civilization, a unique flagship project personally initiated and envisioned by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Located at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, Uzbekistan is renowned for its ancient history and its rich cultural and spiritual heritage. For centuries, our land has been home to some of the world's greatest scholars and thinkers, whose invaluable contributions have left an enduring mark on the development of human civilization. Mr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center, will provide you with a more comprehensive presentation of this remarkable institution.
Distinguished participants,
Over the past years, Uzbekistan has entered a fundamentally new stage of its development. Under the leadership of our esteemed President, His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has been carrying out large-scale reforms across all spheres of public life. We are building the New Uzbekistan with unprecedented momentum, effectively ensuring a strong social policy, safeguarding the rights of all our citizens, actively promoting regional and international cooperation, adhering to the principles of sustainable and green development, and pursuing an open policy towards the world.
A decisive driving force behind these transformations has been the comprehensive reforms implemented in all sectors on the basis of the Development Strategy of Uzbekistan. The construction of the New Uzbekistan, founded on the principle "For the honour and dignity of the individual, for his or her happiness," has truly become a nationwide movement.
Building upon these large-scale reforms, our country continues to take consistent steps towards ensuring its sustainable development. Authoritative international organizations and financial institutions highly appreciate the effectiveness and tangible results of the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan.
Last year, Uzbekistan's gross domestic product grew by 7.7 percent, while US$43 billion in investment was attracted to the national economy. In 2026, the GDP of our rapidly growing economy will exceed US$180 billion.
At the same time, Uzbekistan is becoming increasingly open to the world. Today, the voice of Uzbekistan is being heard with growing confidence both regionally and internationally.
Our country has become one of the important venues for hosting numerous high-level international summits attended by Heads of State and Government, as well as major international forums, including the annual meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), UNESCO, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Distinguished participants,
I would also like to briefly touch upon the development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and China.
Uzbekistan and China are all-weather comprehensive strategic partners, bound by centuries-old ties of friendship dating back to the era of the Great Silk Road.
In recent years, our bilateral relations have demonstrated steady and dynamic growth, encompassing a wide range of key areas—from political dialogue and security to comprehensive trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
A solid foundation for our bilateral relations is provided by the close and sincerely friendly ties between the respected leaders of our two countries—His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev and His Excellency Mr. Xi Jinping.
In September 2025, in Beijing, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the President of the People's Republic of China identified new key areas of long-term cooperation, setting strategic directions for the future development of bilateral relations.
Today, trade, economic and investment cooperation between our countries continues to expand steadily, with bilateral trade reaching ever higher levels. A number of major joint investment projects are being implemented in such areas as high technology, renewable energy, the chemical industry, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, electrical engineering, infrastructure modernization, and many other sectors.
In 2024, at the initiative of our respected Leaders, the First Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum was held in Urumqi. Its third session was successfully convened in May 2026 in Xi'an.
The historical and cultural affinity between our two countries provides favourable conditions for the active development of tourism exchanges. An important milestone was the introduction of the mutual visa-free regime between Uzbekistan and China in June last year. The number of direct flights connecting various cities of Uzbekistan and China continues to grow steadily.
In conclusion, I would once again like to express my sincere gratitude to all participants, in particular to the distinguished Ambassadors, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, business leaders, heads of analytical institutions, members of the media, and representatives of the diplomatic corps for joining us at today's event.
We sincerely hope that today's event will provide you with an opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the history and culture of Uzbekistan, as well as the dynamic developments and modern achievements of our country.
Thank you for your attention.
