On October 17, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a Chinese delegation led by Li Qiang, Premier of China’s State Council, in Tashkent. The meeting focused on expanding trade and economic ties, attracting investment, and developing regional transport infrastructure.
According to the Uzbek presidential administration, the portfolio of projects supported by firm agreements between the two countries has reached nearly $60 billion. More than 6,000 enterprises with Chinese capital have been established in Uzbekistan.
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway
One of the key topics discussed was the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. Li Qiang reaffirmed China’s readiness to ensure the project is implemented to a high standard. He also emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation to enable Chinese companies to invest and operate in Uzbekistan.
The railway will connect China with Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan. Once operational, it is expected to expand freight transportation capacity, facilitate regional trade, and diversify transport routes.
According to the Uzbek presidential administration, construction of the railway is progressing actively. However, the reports on the meeting did not specify the project’s total cost or expected completion date
The two sides discussed strengthening cooperation across several sectors of the economy, including:
- Energy and the green economy: expanding cooperation in the energy sector.
- Industry and manufacturing: chemicals, automotive manufacturing, metallurgy, and equipment production.
- Digital technologies: artificial intelligence, robotics, and innovation.
- Agriculture and geology: cooperation in agricultural production and the use of natural resources.
- Transport and infrastructure: improving regional connectivity.
The discussions also covered cooperation in finance, tourism, education, and culture. Plans to increase the number of flights between cities in Uzbekistan and China were also considered.
What does the $60 billion figure represent?
The nearly $60 billion figure refers to the value of the bilateral project portfolio. It does not mean that the entire amount has already been invested in Uzbekistan’s economy. The official announcement provides the total value of the project portfolio but does not detail how much has already been financed or completed.
Therefore, the figure should not be confused with the volume of investment already realized. The actual economic impact will depend on how many projects move into implementation, whether they create new production capacity, and how they contribute to trade growth.
China remains one of Uzbekistan’s major economic partners. The expansion of the bilateral project portfolio could create new opportunities in industry, logistics, and technology. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, in particular, is expected to be an important component of cooperation, with potential implications for regional trade and transport networks.
