Uzbekistan and China: Millennia-long friendship and cooperation

Recently, we have welcomed the year 2024, crossing the threshold of a new life cycle. The first month of a new year is always a time of meetings of the closest friends, a time of new hopes and accomplishments.

It is profoundly symbolic that this year I will make my first visit to the Celestial Empire at the invitation of the distinguished President of the People's Republic of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping.

Every time I visit China, I sincerely admire the scale of the reforms taking place here, the accomplishments, creative strength, diligence and talent of the Chinese people, who are confidently pursuing the path of modernization to realize their centuries-old dream.

Over the past decade, the People's Republic of China has turned into a mighty world power, achieved tremendous scientific, technological and innovative progress, and created a unique ecosystem of economic and business development.

The country has acquired a completely new image, the people's welfare has been steadily growing, and a firm intellectual foundation has been forming for China's further development.

Today, China holds leading positions in world politics and governance as a responsible participant in key international processes. President Xi Jinping's global initiatives in development, security and intercivilizational dialogue are significantly contributing to addressing common global challenges and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

The People's Republic of China takes a big part to support the economic growth of developing countries by expanding trade and investment cooperation, as well as implementing infrastructure connectivity projects.

As esteemed President Xi Jinping fairly noted, China is not only driven by domestic development, but is also looking globally and extending its responsibility as a major power.

Such impressive achievements of China are the result of the forward-looking, deliberate and creative policies, carried out under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.

Uzbekistan, as a friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of China, is sincerely pleased with the successes.

The development of multifaceted relations with China has been, and remains one of the main priorities of Uzbekistan's foreign policy.

I would like to note with satisfaction that relations of our countries are experiencing the best period in their history, demonstrating a solid high dynamic. I believe that this is indeed logical. "Great ancient civilizations always look alike, understand each other and are close in spirit." The Uzbek and Chinese peoples share similar cultures and ideals. Our historical ties go back to the origins of the Great Silk Road, through which much of the world's trade used to pass.

The oldest written sources recount in detail the visit of Zhang Qian, the first Emissary of the Han Dynasty in 126 BC to the ancient state of Parkana in the Fergana Valley (in Chinese — Dayuan).

Chinese silk, paper, porcelain, tea and other goods became world famous and widespread thanks to the markets of such ancient trading cities of Uzbekistan as Samarkand and Bukhara. Special breeds of racehorses, alfalfa seeds, grapes, wine production technologies, cultivation of garden crops and others were brought from Fergana to China.