Ambassador’s Message

This is the fi rst time that I am celebrating Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan in China. On this joyous occa- sion of my country’s 26th Independence Day, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to fellow Uzbekistan citizens and our friends in the People’s Republic of China. Since ancient times, the peoples of Uzbekistan and China were linked by mutual trade, mutual enrichment of cultures. Today the relations between Uzbekistan and China have progressed to the level of strategic partnership. The cooperation includes all areas of politics, economy, trade, industry, construction, science, education and cul- ture. Interactions between our countries steadily develop based on such documents as the Joint Declaration on Establishing Strategic Partnership, the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation, as well as the Joint Statement of 2016 Providing for the Establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

China is one of the largest trade- economic and investment partners of Uzbekistan. The volumes of mutual trade are dynamically increasing. By the end of 2016, the volume of mutual trade amounted to $4.2 billion. In the Celestial, textile products, plastic products, agricultural products made in Uzbekistan whose exports are growing steadily, are in great demand. More than 700 companies and enterprises with the partici- pation of Chinese capital are functioning on the territory of our country.

On May 11-13, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his spouse paid the first state visit to China on the invitation of President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.

As a result of the state visit of the President of our country, a joint state- ment was signed between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the People’s Republic of China.

In general, more than 100 bilateral intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents were signed during the visit. The reached agreements provide for the realization of a large package of invest- ment projects. Their total value exceeds $23 billion.

Both countries are interested in develop- ing an industrial-innovative partnership. The program of cooperation in non-primary and high-tech spheres has been signed and is be- ing successfully implemented. Over the past years, Chinese investors have invested about $8 billion in the Uzbek economy. A number of joint investment projects, including stra- tegic ones, have been implemented in our country. All four threads of the Central Asia- China gas pipeline pass through the territory of Uzbekistan, and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) actively participates in the exploration and development of promis- ing hydrocarbon fi elds in our country. On the basis of the Mubarek gas chemical complex, deep processing of natural gas is carried out jointly. The business entities of China partici- pated in the construction of the Dehkanabad Potash Fertilizer Plant and the Kungrad Soda Plant.

Uzbekistan reached all-new level of ad- vancement, as only developed countries can afford a long-term strategic planning. Such instruments are not available to countries that have serious problems in the national economy, ensuring the security where there is no effective dialogue between differ- ent social groups. Our republic confidently entered into the number of the leaders of regional development and is moving rapidly towards the developed democratic states. The achievements of Uzbekistan caused the urgent need for the adoption of a document that defines a medium-term development strategy.

The Presidential Decree signed on February 7, 2017, approved the Strategy for Actions for the Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan along Five Priority Areas in 2017-2021, worked out on the basis of a comprehensive study of pressing issues of the population. Drafts of this document as well as the state program for its realization were placed on different information platforms for broad public discussion, which received numerous proposals. Citizens expressed interest and involvement in the reforms, demonstrated high political activity.

The Strategy for Actions outlined the issues of socio-political, socio-economic, cultural and humanitarian development of the country announced by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his electoral campaigning, numerous meetings with the electorate, business community and government bodies.

The aim of the Actions Strategy is car- dinal advancement in the effectiveness of reforms, creation of conditions for securing comprehensive and rapid development of the state and society, modernization of the country and liberalization of all walks of life. The Strategy of Actions marks a quali- tatively new approach to the system of strategic planning of state and social devel- opment of the country.

As the starting mechanism for the practi- cal implementation of the priority areas of strategic development, the state program “Year of Dialogue with the People and of Human Interest” was approved.

Dear friends!

Please accept my congratulations on the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations of our two countries and the Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan! I am confi dent that our com- prehensive strategic partnership will grow more from strength to strength in the years to come.