RESULTS OF THE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN TO CHINA TO OPEN A NEW PAGE IN THE HISTORY OF BILATERAL RELATIONS

The visit of President Islam Karimov to China September 2-3, 2015, has attracted great interest of Chinese expert community. In an interview with Information Agency Jahon in Shanghai, some of its representatives have shared their views on the role and importance of this event in the expansion of Uzbek-Chinese relations.

Yu Sinhui, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences:

— China and Uzbekistan, as strategic partners, are carrying out effective cooperation in various fields. We appreciate the fact that the Uzbek side has supported a number of initiatives of the PRC. Beijing, in turn, welcomed the peace initiatives of official Tashkent. In this regard, there is no doubt that the results of the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to open a new page in the history of bilateral relations and will boost cooperation in the political, economic and investment fields.

China has closely monitored the progress of Uzbekistan over the years of sovereign development, including the creation of the foundations of the market economy and the formation of a strong civil society.

The Republic is also conducting a peaceful foreign policy in the international arena. The Uzbek people endorses and supports the course of large-scale reforms conducted under the leadership of Islam Karimov, the results proved that took place in March of this year’s presidential elections.

In general, a short historical period has gone equal to centuries for Uzbekistan, and today it is a modern, dynamically developing state. This we have seen in the course of repeated visits of delegations of our academy in your wonderful country.

Yao Simin, Director of the Center for research and educational exchanges of Uzbekistan at the Shanghai University:

— Uzbekistan has an important place in China’s foreign policy strategy, which has been repeatedly emphasized by the President of China, including its March congratulatory message on the occasion of the re-election of President Islam Karimov of the country.

Exchange of visits at the highest levels is conducted on a regular basis. This demonstrates the growing dynamics of relationships and the coincidence of the sides’ positions on many key issues of international and regional issues, there is mutual interest in deepening trade-economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

Opening of Centre for Research and educational exchanges of Uzbekistan in 2013 at our university has made an important contribution to the development of bilateral cooperation. In addition, we have established contacts with institutes and universities in the country.

Elaboration of the issue of setting up of monument to Alisher Navoi, the great Uzbek poet and public official on the territory of our university is being completed.

Yang Bo, Deputy Director of the Research Center of Central Asia at the Shanghai University of International Studies:

— Uzbekistan has a major influence on the situation in Central Asia. This country is an important partner of China in the region. The Parties shall provide mutual political support in the international arena to promote the interests of each other.

Expanding economic and investment cooperation, a growing number of Chinese companies are actively entering the market of Uzbekistan is implementing long-term projects.

I am sure that the visit of President Islam Karimov will further deepen trust and friendship between our countries.

Jiang Feng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shanghai International Studies University:

— A few days ago, Uzbekistan has celebrated the 24th anniversary of independence. I take this opportunity to congratulate sincerely the people of Uzbekistan in connection with this remarkable date!

I should note that over the past few years, thanks to the wise policies implemented under the leadership of President Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan became one of the fastest growing countries in the world. Following its own model, the country provides political stability, economic growth and social well-being. These achievements have been widely recognized by the international community.

Consistent strengthening of Sino-Uzbek friendship pleases me. At present, our relations are characterized by a consistent development. Shanghai International Studies University is ready to continue to contribute to the deepening of cooperation between our countries in the field of education.

Information Agency Jahon, Shanghai