Chongqing - The Chongqing-Jizzakh Day event was held at Chongqing Normal University on September 29, showcasing the distinctive culture, arts, and cuisine of Jizzakh Province, Uzbekistan, through a food exhibition and a concert, and further strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the two sides.

On September 29, 2026, a splendid song-and-dance performance was staged at Chongqing Normal University. (Photo/Chongqing Normal University)

A cultural and art delegation from Jizzakh Province, led by Deputy Governor Shukurulloyev, attended the event.

In May this year, Jizzakh Province Governor Mustafoyev led a delegation to Chongqing for the 2026 Chongqing International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference, during which the two sides established friendly exchange relations and reached a consensus. The event was aimed at promoting continued and deeper people-to-people exchanges and friendly ties.

Shen Jinqiang, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress, said in his speech that Chongqing and Jizzakh Province are highly complementary and have broad prospects for cooperation. The Chongqing–Jizzakh Day event is an important step to further deepen friendly exchanges and enhance people-to-people connectivity, he said, adding that Chongqing is ready to work with Jizzakh Region to deepen practical cooperation in economy and trade, culture and people-to-people exchanges, and local friendship, turn their friendship into win-win results, and contribute local strength to the in-depth development of the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era.

On September 29, 2026, a splendid song-and-dance performance was staged at Chongqing Normal University. (Photo/Chongqing Normal University)

Shukurulloyev said the event was not only a cultural celebration but also an important platform for enhancing mutual understanding and advancing bilateral relations. He expressed hope that the event would serve as an opportunity to promote exchanges of knowledge, experience and ideas, boost economic and trade exchanges, expand cooperation, and create more new development opportunities for both sides. Jizzakh Province is willing to continue deepening cooperation with Chongqing in economy and trade, tourism, education and other fields and open up new space for cooperation. He invited more Chinese friends to visit Jizzakh Province to experience its magnificent mountains and rivers, long history and dynamic development.

During the food exhibition, chefs from Jizzakh Province demonstrated and served authentic Uzbek dishes such as plov and baked samsa, inviting guests to taste them. A display of Jizzakh's tourism attractions was also held on site, allowing guests to enjoy exotic cuisine while experiencing the province's unique natural scenery and cultural charm.

On September 29, 2026, students sample Uzbek cuisine at Chongqing Normal University. (Photo/Chongqing Normal University)

At the concert, artists from the Jizzakh and teachers and students from Chongqing Normal University performed together. They presented songs and dances. Using music as a bridge and songs and dances as expressions of friendship, artists and cultural workers from both places sang of China-Uzbekistan friendship and presented a vivid picture of cultural exchange and mutual learning.

Jizzakh Province is located in central-eastern Uzbekistan and was an important transportation hub on the ancient Silk Road. Its automobile, IT, and other industries have strong development momentum.

In recent years, exchanges and cooperation between Chongqing and Uzbekistan have flourished with fruitful results. In 2025, the total import and export volume between the two sides reached 1.54 billion yuan (approximately US$215.6 million), up 44.5 percent year on year, making Uzbekistan an important trading partner for Chongqing in Central Asia. The China-Europe Railway Express operates a direct Chongqing–Tashkent train, reaching major cities in Uzbekistan; a direct passenger air route from Chongqing to Tashkent has been opened; Chongqing Polytechnic University of Engineering and Tashkent Transport Vocational and Technical College jointly led the establishment of the China-Uzbekistan Vocational Education Alliance; and Chongqing University and Tashkent University of Architecture and Civil Engineering jointly built the China-Uzbekistan Joint Laboratory of Urban Science. Exchanges between Chongqing and Jizzakh Region have continued to deepen, with Chongqing Normal University, Changan Automobile, and other universities and enterprises reaching practical cooperation intentions with partners in Jizzakh Region.