Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 1–2 June, the city of Samarkand hosted the Second Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum, marking a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral ties.

Following the forum, on 2 June, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov held a meeting in Tashkent with the head of the Chinese delegation — Shen Yueyue, Vice Chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairperson of the SCO Committee on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.

At the beginning of the meeting, Shen Yueyue conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping and CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning.

Both sides acknowledged that Uzbek–Chinese relations have reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership — resilient in the face of global challenges. They emphasized the crucial role played by mutual trust and the genuinely warm and friendly relationship between the two countries’ leaders.

The Chinese side reaffirmed its full support for Uzbekistan’s path toward strengthening independence, ensuring territorial integrity, and safeguarding national interests.

China views Uzbekistan as one of its key partners in Central Asia. Over 3,700 joint ventures with Chinese capital are currently operating in the country, with large-scale projects underway in infrastructure development, industrial cooperation, agriculture, and green energy.

The introduction of a visa-free regime between the two countries on 1 June was highly praised as a major step toward boosting business activity, increasing tourism flows, and deepening bilateral relations.

Both parties underscored that the outcomes of the Second Interregional Forum in Samarkand — including agreements reached, contracts signed, and new initiatives launched — provide a solid foundation for further deepening the partnership.

During the talks, the two sides engaged in a substantive exchange of views on expanding cooperation in various sectors, including trade and investment, transport and logistics, industrial integration, and humanitarian and academic initiatives.