The President of Uzbekistan called for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with Hong Kong

On June 4, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a delegation from the People’s Republic of China led by Li Jiachao, Head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the press service of the head of our state reports.

At the beginning of the meeting, Li Jiachao conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from President Xi Jinping to the head of state.

The parties discussed current aspects of further expanding Uzbek-Chinese cooperation, including in the context of expanding interregional exchanges and practical interaction with Hong Kong.

During the conversation, the unprecedented level of Uzbek-Chinese friendship and all-weather strategic partnership achieved in recent years was noted with deep satisfaction.

Agreements at the highest level are being consistently implemented. In May, the Intergovernmental Commission meeting in Beijing and the third Interregional Forum in Xi’an were successfully held, an economic forum and industrial exhibition were held in Hong Kong, and the Trade House of Uzbekistan was opened.

Particular attention was given to the importance of tapping into the existing potential for economic partnership between the regions of Uzbekistan and Hong Kong. Confidence was expressed that the current visit of a representative delegation of Hong Kong business circles to Tashkent will facilitate this.

The importance of adopting a comprehensive cooperation program was emphasized, providing for the expansion of trade, economic, and financial ties, the establishment of industrial cooperation, the development of educational, tourism, and business exchanges, as well as the establishment of direct air links and consular services for citizens.

Priorities included areas such as green energy, agriculture, biotechnology, the digital economy, fintech, innovative startups, artificial intelligence, and others.

An agreement was reached to adopt a joint roadmap for priority areas of cooperation, as well as to establish a Business Council and the imminent establishment of a visa-free regime with Hong Kong on a parity basis.