Chongqing- During a recent state visit to Uzbekistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a joint statement between the two nations and attended the SCO Council of Heads Meeting in Samarkand. The statement emphasized the goals for enhanced bilateral cooperation and the creation of new growth points. In this context, Chongqing and the Tashkent Region of Uzbekistan signed an agreement on establishing sister city-state relations. The two sides have continued working on new exciting areas for cooperation in the fields of economic trade, tourism, technology, culture, education, sport, and health.

Since a friendship and cooperation agreement was first signed between the two regions in 1998, a high-level government delegation from Uzbekistan most recently visited government departments, counties, and enterprises in Chongqing back in the year 2018, and reached a consensus on the economic and cultural partnership to comprehensively strengthen bilateral ties, and form a bridge of cooperation along the Belt and Road and Eurasian continent.

Since the first Central Asia Train departed in 2018, the Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe freight railway service (Yuxinou) has radiated influence across the central Asian region, transporting nearly 15,000 TEU containers with cargo such as communications equipment, whole vehicles, spare parts, commodities, staple foods and metal ores worth a collective total of approximately 3.5 billion yuan.

Additionally, the first regular HGV departure from Chongqing on the Cross-Border Highway for Central Asia left for Uzbekistan in July 2020, laying the groundwork for a 140% increase in import-export volumes between the two regions, achieved this year over the period from January to July, and which displays bright prospects in future cooperation.

Uzbekistan offers rich potential

The Tashkent Region covers a total area of 15,300 square kilometers with a population in excess of 3 million people and enjoys the advantages of convenient geographical location, fertile soil, gentle climate, skilled labor, multi-functional economic zones, and rich mineral resources.

In recent years, active foreign investment has been made in industry, trade, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, construction, logistics, and storage, served by over 350 kilometers of railways and 4000 kilometers of public roads and highways connecting Uzbekistan with Central Asia and Russia.

Last year, foreign tourists visiting the Tashkent region increased by a 30% increase to the previous year to reach a total of 4 million, accommodated by over 68 hotels and campsites and more than 500 private cottages. Attractions such as Charvak Lake and Ugam Chatkal National Park are suitable for summer tourism, while the Chimgan and Chatkal Mountains offer winter ski resorts built to international standards.

Meanwhile, over 500 cultural heritage sites preserved in the region mean that Tashkent Province offers many rich opportunities for investment and tourism potential.