Uzbek President in Beijing

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 24 Jan 2024 by Alex Teddy

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On January 23 President Mirziyoyev began a 3-day state visit to China. He seems to be mostly touting for investment. He is due to meet President Xi. China has been the single biggest trade partner for Uzbekistan since 2023. Trade between the two countries reached USD 14 billion. That is a stunning 40% increase from 2022. However, that is citing official data which may not be reliable.  Uzbekistan is keen to follow China's path in reducing poverty, upgrading agriculture, building a digital economy and developing renewable energy. Uzbekistan sells a lot of oil and gas to China. The country is also part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Being landlocked, the BRI is vital for Uzbekistan. It is also a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In a speech Mirziyoyev praised China's economic development. He said that the two nations collaborate on electrical engineering, chemistry and infrastructure. He wrote an article that appeared in one of China's main newspapers: the Global Times. Mirziyoyev's visit is also intended to enhance cultural and educational cooperation and cooperation between the individual regions of the two nations. China and Uzbekistan have taken part in cultural exchanges with dance troupes and orchestras visiting each other's countries. Uzbekistan, with 32 million people, is the most populous nation in Central Asia although not the largest territorially. The former Soviet Republic has seen a decline in Russian influence since the Ukraine War. This is an opportunity for Uzbekistan and China to deepen their relationship. There are a million Uzbek guest workers in Russia. But they are pressured to join the Russian Army. An increasing number o...