In order to enhance regional cooperation between China and Uzbekistan and promote the continuous development of bilateral relations, the China (Guangdong) - Uzbekistan (Samarkand) Economic Cooperation Business Forum was held in Guangzhou on July 25th. Representatives from Uzbekistan, including Erkinjo Turdimov, Governor of Samarkand Oblast, Oybek Khamraev, Deputy Regional Governor of Samarkand Oblast, and Bai Mingshao, First level Inspector of Guangdong Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and Chen Hu, Second level Inspector of Guangdong Department of Commerce, attended the forum together. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Uzbekistan in 1992, they have always followed the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutual benefit, becoming good neighbors with mutual respect and trust, good partners with mutual benefit, and good friends who learn from each other. From 2012 to 2024, the relationship between the two countries has undergone a leapfrog development from a strategic partnership and a comprehensive strategic partnership to a new era all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership. The relationship between the two countries is stable and far-reaching, jointly promoting the construction of a China Ukraine community with a shared future in the new era and at a higher starting point. In his speech, the Governor of Samarkand Oblast, Erjinjo Turdimov, pointed out that there is a long history of exchange and communication between Uzbekistan and China, and it is becoming more solid. The two countries have established a solid trade relationship in the past, laying a solid foundation for further in-depth cooperation in the future. He further stated that Uzbekistan's development in infrastructure, high-tech industries, agriculture, culture and education is becoming increasingly mature, which will provide strong support for Uzbekistan to promote cooperation with China in multiple fields and at a deeper level. In his speech, Bai Mingshao, the first level inspector of CCPIT Guangdong Council, said that from the Silk Road to the "the Belt and Road", the economic and trade development between China and Uzbekistan has "reached a higher level", and on this basis, cooperation and exchanges between Guangdong Province and Uzbekistan have become more frequent. As the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of automobiles, processed products, and agricultural products becomes increasingly close, he looks forward to further strengthening interaction with relevant institutions and promoting deeper and more substantial economic and trade exchanges between China and Ukraine. Finally, he wished that the friendship between the two peoples would continue to deepen with the close exchanges between the two countries. Bai Mingshao, a first level inspector of the Guangdong Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade, delivered a speech. Several representatives from China and Ukraine subsequently made wonderful thematic presentations. After the meeting, government officials and business representatives from both China and Uzbekistan had in-depth exchanges on specific cooperation matters in the negotiation area, and successfully signed multiple bilateral agreements and treaties. According to on-site reports from Xinhua News Agency, the China Ukraine Economic Cooperation and Business Forum has been held in Urumqi, Guangzhou, and Nanjing, injecting strong momentum into the point-to-point regional cooperation between the two countries. Renowned Uzbek poet Navoi once said, "There is nothing better than living in friendship." It is reported that Uzbekistan has implemented a 10 day visa free entry policy for Chinese citizens, and people only need to take a two-hour flight to reach Samarkand. Whether it's a leisurely stroll in the beautiful ancient city of Samarkand, tasting specialty grilled meat and sweet grapes, or making friends with the friendly and hospitable people of Uzbekistan, exploring the charm of the city together, it will allow the people of both places to form a deep friendship through getting to know each other. Eljinjo Turdimov, governor of Samarkand, told reporters of the news agency after the meeting that "the relationship between Uzbekistan and China has reached a new stage." The China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan railway project developed under the framework of China's "the Belt and Road" initiative is planned to be put into formal operation in 2027. "I earnestly hope that through this project, the people of China and Uzbekistan will become more united." Guo Fengzhi, the governor of Samarkand, Eljinjo Turdimov, secretary-general of the Guangdong Commonwealth of Independent States Alliance for International Science and Technology Cooperation, said that, taking the 10th anniversary of the the Belt and Road initiative last year as an opportunity, China and Uzbekistan have strengthened economic, trade and cultural exchanges in various regions, fully demonstrating the strong strength and cooperation potential of the two countries. He believed that this forum could attract more Guangdong entrepreneurs to focus on the Central Asian countries along the "the Belt and Road", and let the two sides explore new cooperation models on the basis of strengthening cooperation in traditional trade industries, so as to inject strong impetus into the economic and social development of China and Uzbekistan. Guo Fengzhi (left), Secretary General of the Guangdong CIS International Science and Technology Cooperation Alliance, and Michelle Liu (right, Indonesia), intern reporter at the Xinhua News Agency International News Center. Text by Yi Chunyan, Chen Xinyan, Michelle Liu (Indonesia) Photo by Yi Chunyan