Uzbek President to begin state visit to China

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Mirziyoyev will spend three days in Beijing, during which he will attend several events on cultural, educational and economic cooperation. The visit is broadly aimed at deepening cooperation and enhancing bilateral relations.

China is Uzbekistan’s largest trade partner, with both bilateral exports and imports growing rapidly since [date]. In 2023, the overall trade volume rose by 45%, to a total of $14 billion. The same trend can be observed across Uzbekistan’s neighbors.

Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Central Asian states have shifted their focus away from Moscow and toward the West and China. In 2022, trade between Central Asia and China rose by 40%, to $70 billion, almost double the trade volume with Russia.

As a result, expect Uzbekistan’s political leadership to welcome closer economic ties with Beijing. Xi and Mirziyoyev are likely to announce several economic cooperation agreements this week. Central Asia is also a crucial partner to Beijing, including for its resources and strategic location between East and West. However, while trade with China will continue to grow in 2024, Central Asian governments will also strengthen ties with the West, while maintaining amicable relations with Moscow.