桑贾尔·瓦列耶夫：“中间走廊”和中吉乌铁路是竞争性项目？我想做点解释

在全球经济承压、地缘格局深刻重塑的背景下，中亚地区站上了新的发展风口。第二届“中国—中亚峰会”召开前夜，北京对话和观察者网与乌兹别克斯坦外交政策研究中心主任、地区重要战略学者桑贾尔·瓦列耶夫博士连线对谈，话题围绕中国+中亚五国“六国”合作机制、中乌双边关系及区域一体化前景展开。

瓦列耶夫指出，中亚国家共享历史文化纽带，但资源禀赋与经济结构多样，在差异中孕育协同潜力。随着区域联通不断加强，中亚正迈向一个更具活力与韧性的统一市场。他强调，本次峰会不仅是高层战略对话的重要场域，更是中亚各国在多变世界中共谋发展、释放潜能的关键时刻。

以下为采访全文。

2023年，首届中国-中亚峰会在西安召开。中国国家领导人和中亚五国元首共同种下六棵石榴树，象征着六国像石榴籽一样紧紧团结在一起。央视新闻

韩桦：乌兹别克斯坦是中亚地区首个与中国建立新时代全天候全面战略伙伴关系的国家。乌方如何看待这一特殊的伙伴关系？

瓦利耶夫：首先，我想强调的是，这件事在乌兹别克斯坦受到了高度重视，并被视为现代外交的一项重大成就。与中国这样一个充满活力的全球大国将双边关系提升至如此前所未有的高度，为我国开辟了广泛的机遇。

从象征意义上讲，这种伙伴关系的高规格不仅体现了两国对彼此的战略重要性，也彰显了双方在建立基于深厚信任和长远视角的友好关系方面的坚定信心。

若着眼于实际成就，基于具体事实可以说，中国近年来已成为乌兹别克斯坦最重要的合作伙伴之一，并积极支持我国的全面发展与现代化建设。自2017年起，中国已成为乌兹别克斯坦最大贸易伙伴，而截至2023年，中国更成为我国最大投资国。

近期，在全球地缘政治与地缘经济格局演变的背景下，双边深化合作的新机遇不断涌现。例如，交通和物流领域具有巨大的潜力。一个典型例证是中吉乌铁路开工建设——由于需要解决各类问题，该项目此前长期处于筹备阶段，如今终于落地。

实际上，这样的例子还有很多。综合来看，这些成就清晰地体现了新时代全天候全面战略伙伴关系的内涵。

韩桦：您提到了中吉乌铁路的建设，目前该项目进展如何？遇到了哪些困难？

瓦利耶夫：就在最近，也就是今年4月29日，吉尔吉斯斯坦举行了该项目关键点位的动工仪式，标志着工程进入实质性建设阶段。具体而言，首批启动的是纳伦、科什托巴和费尔干纳山隧道群，总长度达37公里。

该项目的一个显著特点是，每逢关键建设节点都会举行由三国高层代表出席的官方仪式。实践证明，这种做法在多个层面成效显著：首先，确保了建设过程与进度的完全透明；其次，通过更高效的监督机制保持施工进度，确保项目按时间表推进；第三，便于现场协调并解决突发问题或挑战。

这种模式可以让我们相信，这条全长532公里的新线路将按时投入使用。

吉尔吉斯斯坦当地时间2024年12月27日12时，中吉乌铁路项目启动仪式在吉尔吉斯斯坦贾拉拉巴德举行。

至于过去面临的障碍，我想重点谈谈最主要的挑战：多年来，该项目一直被认为在经济上不可行；此外，中国与吉尔吉斯斯坦不同的铁路轨距标准，也为项目实施带来了技术难题。

但时代在变迁，客观环境不断演化，各国经济的需求与承载能力也在持续增长。最新评估显示，该项目蕴含巨大潜力且具备经济可行性。如今，我们正迎来项目落地的最佳时机。令人振奋的是，三国政府都认识到了利用这种战略增长点的重要性。

韩桦：这对中亚中间走廊的发展以及中国和乌兹别克斯坦与该地区其他国家的间联系会带来什么影响呢？

瓦利耶夫：我想回应一个常见的观点，即认为 “中间走廊” 与中吉乌铁路是竞争性项目。

事实上，这两项倡议服务于完全不同的地理和战略方向。如您所知，“中间走廊” 旨在通过里海和南高加索连接中国与欧洲，而中吉乌铁路则主要聚焦于为中亚、南亚及中东国家的货物运输提供便利。

经由中亚及高加索连接中国和欧洲的铁路网被称为“中间走廊”（中央走廊）。日经中文网

综合来看，这两个项目都是泛欧亚陆路运输网络的重要组成部分。这一网络最终将把中国与欧亚大陆的各个角落连接起来。若以上海合作组织的视角审视，一个充满潜力的成员国互联互通蓝图正逐步成型。

这条新铁路干线的建成终将惠及所有周边国家，而我们中亚地区也将重新回归历史定位，成为全球贸易中连接广袤欧亚大陆的枢纽。

韩桦：您提到的许多前景都与乌兹别克斯坦在阿富汗的铁路项目有关。贵国目前如何与喀布尔塔利班新政府建立关系？乌兹别克斯坦如何看待中国在阿富汗问题以及其他地区安全问题上的立场和做法？

瓦利耶夫：首先我想强调的是，乌兹别克斯坦是目前唯一一个在阿富汗拥有建设和运营铁路实际经验的国家。在众多合作伙伴的支持下，我们成功修建了从乌兹别克斯坦城市铁尔梅兹到阿富汗重要枢纽马扎里沙里夫的铁路，开创了先例。

今年是这条铁路成功投入运营的第15个年头。这一项目的成功让我们有信心制定更宏伟的计划，以进一步拓展阿富汗的铁路联通。

正因如此，我们的交通部与乌兹别克斯坦国家铁路公司正与阿富汗合作伙伴及其他相关国家紧密协作，积极推进 “跨阿富汗走廊” 项目。

这一建设工程涉及复杂的山地地形，需要先进的工程技术和大量资金投入。当然，由于阿富汗当前特殊的政治局势以及临时政府与许多国家和国际组织（包括金融机构）的关系，还存在许多风险和有待解决的问题。

乌兹别克斯坦-阿富汗-巴基斯坦铁路项目示意图

乌兹别克斯坦是最早与阿富汗新当局开展对话的国家之一，并持续采取措施维持建设性的乌阿互动。我们的立场基于这一认知：作为阿富汗的近邻，我们别无选择，只能与我们周边的所有国家保持友好睦邻关系。现在很明显，若阿富汗的邻国不在其重建国家机构和经济的关键时期提供支持，整个地区都将面临严重后果。

值得注意的是，塔利班政府在国家治理中也展现出责任感，并有意构建可预测的长期合作关系。因此，我们正见证双边关系在政治、安全、环境合作、经济、人道主义援助及运输物流等领域取得切实进展。比如，就在上个月，乌兹别克斯坦和阿富汗就阿姆河水资源的共同使用达成协议。这是中亚国家在跨境水资源协同管理方面迈出的重要一步。

尤为关键的是，我们的区域倡议与努力得到了中国的充分理解与支持。贵国政府始终坚定致力于建设性对话与互利合作——这一理念同样体现在与喀布尔的关系中。中国在阿富汗问题上的外交努力，切实反映了其对推动阿富汗持久和平与社会稳定的真挚承诺。

2023年9月，中国成为世界上第一个向喀布尔派遣大使并接受阿富汗临时政府驻华大使的国家。这一举措极具象征意义，为其他国家采取同样负责任且灵活的外交方式树立了典范。同样重要的是，中国在支持阿富汗人民的人道主义倡议以及在阿富汗发展方面提供的广泛帮助。这种支持的具体体现是阿富汗被纳入“一带一路”倡议下的中巴经济走廊。

总之，分析乌兹别克斯坦与中国对阿富汗的政策可见诸多相似之处：两者均基于务实对话与互利合作。在这一事务上，我们在所有国际和地区平台上携手合作。我坚信，今年即将在中国召开的上海合作组织峰会，将就阿富汗问题作出具有里程碑意义的决策。

韩桦：中国和乌兹别克斯坦之间还有哪些潜在的合作领域？

瓦利耶夫：近年来，我们在发展务实合作的结构和内涵方面取得了飞跃性的进步，两国经济的互联互通已经成为一个实实在在的现实。

下一步的重点在于提升合作质量。我们必须突破基础设施建设、油气贸易、商品交易等传统经济合作领域的局限。我坚信，未来的经济增长将源于两国在新能源、数字经济、现代农业及科技创新等新兴领域拓展的合作。

政策层面的优先布局同样关键。鉴于中国在绿色发展领域的丰富经验，建议扩大绿色金融、创新技术等领域的教育交流，这些合作可以支持乌兹别克斯坦在“乌兹别克斯坦—2030”战略下实现其环境目标。

数字合作应当成为我们未来发展的基石。中国近期在科技与创新领域取得了前所未有的成就，一个突出的例子是备受讨论的人工智能模型DeepSeek。据报道，其成本效益较西方同类产品高出数百倍，且已接入多家政府机构和企业的运营系统。

唯有借助技术与创新，我们才能突破资源依赖，向可持续发展模式转型。构建互联互通的数字基础设施，以促进技术与最佳实践的交流共享，将为医疗、教育、公共管理及工业等领域开拓全新发展前景。

韩桦：在全球经济面临气候变化、保护主义抬头及冲突加剧等多重挑战的当下，乌兹别克斯坦如何应对这一局面？

瓦利耶夫：乌兹别克斯坦对当今世界存在的风险及其对本地区的影响保持着清醒而现实的评估。

与中国一样，我们始终致力于应对全球变暖。2017年，乌兹别克斯坦签署《巴黎协定》，承诺到2030年将单位GDP的温室气体排放量减少35%，并将绿色能源在总发电量中的占比提升至50%。

为实现这些目标， “乌兹别克斯坦-2030” 国家发展战略中纳入了12项优先目标，旨在应对气候相关挑战，包括保护自然资源、扩大替代能源使用，以及在各经济领域推行节能实践。

我们已经取得了显著的进展。例如，作为国家 “绿色空间” 倡议的一部分，我们去年共种植了1.38亿株乔木和灌木幼苗，新建257座绿色公园，并在干涸的咸海湖床及周边地区种植了21.5万公顷的植被。

2024年，由中国能建葛洲坝海外投资有限公司投资的乌兹别克斯坦1吉瓦光伏项目首期400兆瓦实现并网发电。（张志国 摄）人民日报

与此同时，乌兹别克斯坦正在推进的改革与现代化进程，恰逢全球范围内去全球化和保护主义措施不断加剧的时期。

我国的原则立场基于对多边主义和全球化利益公平分配的承诺。因此，我们正积极推动加入世界贸易组织的谈判进程——成为WTO成员国将成为乌兹别克斯坦融入全球经济漫长征程中的历史性里程碑。

相应地，我们主张为全人类的可持续发展创造有利条件。在国际舞台上，乌兹别克斯坦与志同道合的国家一道，支持开放、公平、互利的合作，致力于构建一个以各国各民族共同进步为优先的和谐世界。

韩桦：中亚地区如何看待中国—中亚合作机制？对即将举行的峰会及整体的多边合作又有哪些期待？

瓦利耶夫：两年前，首届具有历史意义的中国—中亚峰会开启了合作新纪元。这一里程碑事件的成功，无疑得益于中国国家领导人提出的一系列连贯倡议，这些倡议得到了地区所有国家元首的全力支持。在各国领导人的政治意愿和共同努力下，这一合作模式已迅速证明它是一个建立在信任基础上的对话和富有成果的务实合作的高效平台。

乌兹别克斯坦将 “中国—中亚” 平台视为具有前瞻性伙伴关系的长期框架——它支持将我们所在的地区转型为稳定、可持续发展与技术进步的区域。如今，“新中亚” 已成为以相互尊重、睦邻友好、开放包容与建设性合作为特征的空间。我们已经进入了一个更高级别的阶段，即在关键发展问题上建立系统性和基于信任的对话。

近年来最重要的成就之一是我们在持续解决即便最复杂的地区挑战。近期一个令人振奋的例子是，乌兹别克斯坦、塔吉克斯坦和吉尔吉斯斯坦在胡占德签署了具有历史意义的三国边界交界点协议。

无论是地区内贸易，还是与包括中国在内的其他国家的经济交流，都在稳步增长。2024年，乌兹别克斯坦与中亚国家和中国的贸易总额达到了200亿美元——在过去五年中几乎翻了一番。

乌兹别克斯坦与中亚和中国伙伴设立的合资企业数量已超过5000家。去年，乌兹别克斯坦接待了850万来自周边国家的游客——哈萨克斯坦和吉尔吉斯斯坦公民可凭国内身份证件入境，中国公民则享受30天免签待遇。

这一切都生动展现了贸易、产业合作及人文交流已跃升至全新的层级。中国始终支持中亚国家在政治、经济等领域的倡议。如今，中国已稳居该地区国家主要贸易与投资伙伴之列。

5月11日，一列满载冰箱配件、加气站设备和百货等货物的国际货运班列缓缓从成都国际铁路港驶出。该班列将经霍尔果斯口岸出境，最终抵达乌兹别克斯坦塔什干，全程4853公里，预计10天左右到达。成都日报

正因如此，所有中亚国家都期待即将召开的第二届峰会能达成突破性协议并落地具体项目——这一合作机制已凭借其高效务实的特质赢得广泛认可。在政治层面，面对全球局势动荡与国际格局演变，彰显地区团结及共同维护稳定与可持续发展的决心至关重要。经济领域的关键突破点在于启动深层次、长期性的科技合作基础建设，尤其是在创新驱动型产业。人文交流方面，各国民众对通过知识与文化互动深化相互认知的需求与日俱增。

本质上，我们期待的是与中国在安全、发展、文明对话等全球倡议上相契合的实质性项目。从这个意义而言，中亚有潜力成为这些倡议在特定区域成功实践的 “试验田”。目前所需的条件已初步具备，各国也热切期望与中国携手释放合作机遇。

韩桦：许多地区外的观察者往往以笼统的视角看待中亚，未能深入区分各国的差异。您认为他们忽略了哪些重要的细节？

瓦利耶夫：这种认知可能源于中亚各民族在历史与文明文化上的共通性。事实上，多数中亚国家有着突厥语族根源，并因共同的传统、文化价值观及宗教而紧密相连。

然而，中亚是一个极具多元性的地区，每个国家都有其独特之处。例如，地理因素在塑造各国不同的经济发展路径中起到了决定性作用：乌兹别克斯坦、哈萨克斯坦和土库曼斯坦拥有丰富的矿产资源，而吉尔吉斯斯坦和塔吉克斯坦则主要以水资源和水电资源为优势。

各国的经济结构也存在着显著差异：哈萨克斯坦经济以工业、服务业和大规模单一作物农业为主导；相比之下，塔吉克斯坦和吉尔吉斯斯坦的中小企业、传统农业及水电产能较为发达。

值得一提的是，乌兹别克斯坦的经济多元化水平相对突出。除了本地区传统优势产业外，我们已建成包括电动汽车在内的整车制造、消费电子和电气设备的完整生产线。此外，乌兹别克斯坦正迅速崛起为中亚地区内在信息技术、人工智能、航空航天工程和无人技术研发领域的领军者。

尽管存在这些差异，地区内已形成明确的共识：唯有携手合作，我们才能在全球经济版图中成为具有竞争力的力量，并持续成为吸引外国投资的热土。

一个团结的中亚拥有近8000万人口的庞大动态市场，实际国内生产总值约4000亿美元，年均增长率约6%。我们地区的战略地位将不断提升，对周边邻国及主要经济伙伴（如中国、俄罗斯等与我们保持战略关系的国家）的重要性也将与日俱增。

我坚信，即将在阿斯塔纳举行的峰会，以及中乌两国领导人在会议期间的双边会谈，将进一步释放中亚的巨大潜力，助力我们共同应对未来数年面临的挑战。

英文原文：

On the eve of the second "Central Asia–China" Summit, we interviewed Dr. Sanjar Valiev, Director of the influential Uzbek think tank – the Centre for Foreign Policy Studies. In our discussion, we touched upon the development of bilateral relations, prospects for cooperation in a six-party format.

1.Uzbekistan became the first country in the region to establish an all-weather, comprehensive strategic partnership with China in the new era. How does Uzbekistan perceive this unique partnership?

瓦利耶夫：First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that this fact is highly valued in Uzbekistan and is seen as a significant achievement of modern diplomacy. Elevating bilateral relations with China - a dynamic global power - to such an unprecedented level opens a wide array of opportunities for our country.

Symbolically, the high status of this partnership reflects the strategic importance of our two countries to one another, as well as the full confidence of our friendly nations in the need to build a relationship based on trust and long-term historical perspective.

If we look at tangible accomplishments, based on concrete facts, it would not be an exaggeration to say that China has, in recent years, become one of Uzbekistan’s most important partners, actively supporting us in our comprehensive development and modernization efforts. Your country has been Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner since 2017 and, as of 2023, its largest investor.

Recently, under the influence of global geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts, new opportunities for enhanced cooperation have emerged.

For example, the transport and logistics sector holds immense potential. A case in point is the launch of construction on the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway, a project that had long been in a state of anticipation due to the need to resolve various issues.

There are, in fact, many such examples. Taken together, these achievements clearly embody the notion of an all-weather, comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.

2.You mentioned the construction of the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway. What is the current progress of the project, and what obstacles have been encountered?

瓦利耶夫：Very recently, on April 29 of this year, a ceremony was held in Kyrgyzstan to mark the beginning of the active construction phase at key project sites. Specifically, this involves the construction of the Naryn, Koshtoba, and Ferghana Mountain tunnels, with a combined total length of 37 kilometers.

A hallmark of this project has been the tradition of holding official ceremonies attended by high-level representatives from the participating countries at every major milestone in the construction process. This has proven to be a highly effective practice for several important reasons.

First, it ensures full transparency regarding the construction process and the progress being made.

Second, it helps maintain the pace of construction and adherence to the project timeline through more effective oversight.

Third, it enables on-the-spot coordination and resolution of any emerging issues or challenges.

This approach speaks for itself and gives us confidence that the 532-kilometer-long new route will be commissioned on time.

As for the obstacles encountered in the past, I will highlight the most significant ones. For many years, this project was considered economically unviable. In addition, differing railway gauge standards between China and Kyrgyzstan presented a further technical challenge to the implementation of the route.

However, time brings change. Circumstances evolve, and the demands and capacities of our economies continue to grow. Recent assessments indicate significant potential and economic viability for the project.

Today, we are witnessing the most favorable conditions for its realization. It is encouraging that our governments share a common understanding of the importance of capitalizing on such strategic growth points.

3. What could this mean for the development of the Middle Corridor, as well as for China’s and Uzbekistan’s connections with countries in the region?

瓦利耶夫：First of all, I would like to address a frequently voiced opinion suggesting that the Middle Corridor and the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway are competing projects.

In reality, these two initiatives serve entirely different geographic and strategic directions. As you know, the Middle Corridor is designed to connect China with Europe via the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus.

In contrast, the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway is primarily focused on facilitating cargo transport to the countries of Central and South Asia, as well as to the Middle East.

Taken together, both projects represent vital segments of a diversified Trans-Eurasian land transport network that will eventually connect China with all corners of the continent. If viewed through the lens of an organization like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, we can speak of the emergence of a promising internal connectivity map among all member states.

Ultimately, the development of this new railway artery will benefit all neighboring countries, and our region - Central Asia - will regain its historical role as a bridging hub in global trade across this vast part of the world.

4. Many of the prospects you’ve mentioned are linked to Uzbekistan’s railway project in Afghanistan. How is your country building relations with the new Taliban-led government in Kabul? What is Uzbekistan’s view on China’s approach to this and other regional security issues?

瓦利耶夫：First of all, I would like to emphasize for your readers that Uzbekistan is currently the only country with actual experience in building and operating a railway in Afghanistan. With the support of multiple partners, we established a precedent by constructing a rail link from the Uzbek city of Termez to the major Afghan hub of Mazar-i-Sharif.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the successful commissioning of that railway. The success of this initial project gives us the confidence to develop more ambitious plans for expanding railway connectivity in Afghanistan.

That is why, in close coordination with partners in Afghanistan and other interested countries, our Ministry of Transport and the national railway company O‘zbekiston temir yo‘llari are actively advancing the Trans-Afghan Corridor project.

The construction involves challenging mountainous terrain, requiring advanced engineering expertise and significant financial investment. Additionally, there are, of course, numerous risks and open questions stemming from the specific political situation in Afghanistan and the interim government’s relations with many countries and international organizations, including financial institutions.

Uzbekistan was among the first to initiate dialogue with the new Afghan authorities and continues to take steps to maintain constructive Uzbek–Afghan engagement. Our position is based on the understanding that, as immediate neighbors of Afghanistan, we have no alternative but to sustain friendly and good-neighborly relations with all the peoples surrounding us.

It is now clear that unless Afghanistan’s neighbors support it during this critical period in rebuilding state institutions and the economy, the entire region will face serious negative consequences.

It should be noted that the Taliban government has also demonstrated a sense of responsibility in managing the country and is interested in predictable, long-term relationships. As a result, we are witnessing tangible progress in our bilateral relations in areas such as politics, security, environmental cooperation, the economy, humanitarian assistance, and transportation logistics.

For example, just last month Uzbekistan and Afghanistan reached an agreement on the joint use of Amu Darya river water. This is a highly significant step toward coordinated management of transboundary water resources among Central Asian nations.

What’s especially important is that our regional initiatives and efforts have found full understanding and support from China. Your government remains firmly committed to constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation—an approach it also applies in its relations with Kabul. China’s diplomatic efforts in this area reflect a genuine commitment to building lasting peace and fostering a stable society in Afghanistan.

China’s decision to become the first country in the world to appoint an ambassador to Kabul in September 2023, and to accredit the Taliban’s ambassador in Beijing, was a highly symbolic move. It has paved the way for others to pursue a similarly responsible and flexible diplomatic approach.

Equally important are China’s humanitarian initiatives to support the Afghan people and its broad assistance in the country’s development. A concrete manifestation of this support is Afghanistan’s inclusion in the China – Pakistan Economic Corridor under the Belt and Road Initiative.

In summary, an analysis of both Uzbek and Chinese approaches toward Afghanistan reveals strong similarities: both are based on pragmatic dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation. In this matter, we act jointly across all international and regional platforms. I am confident that the upcoming SCO Summit, to be held this year in China, will result in landmark decisions regarding Afghanistan.

5. What are other potential areas of cooperation between China and Uzbekistan?

瓦利耶夫：In recent years, we have made a remarkable leap in developing both the structure and substance of practical cooperation. As a result, the interconnectedness of our two economies has become a tangible reality.

The next step is to focus on enhancing the quality of this cooperation. We must go beyond traditional areas of economic collaboration such as infrastructure development, oil and gas trade, and commodity exchange. I am confident that future growth will stem from expanding our cooperation into new sectors—renewable energy, the digital economy, modern agriculture, and scientific and technological innovation.

Additionally, it is essential to prioritize educational policy. Given China’s vast experience in green development, it is advisable to expand educational exchanges in green finance, innovation, and technology. These areas can support Uzbekistan’s efforts to achieve its environmental objectives under the "Uzbekistan – 2030" strategy.

Digital cooperation should form the foundation of our future development. China has recently shown unprecedented results in technology and innovation. One notable example is the much-discussed AI model DeepSeek, which is reportedly several hundred times more cost-efficient than its Western counterparts and has already been integrated into the operations of numerous government agencies and companies.

It is only through the adoption of technology and innovation that we can overcome resource dependency and transition toward a sustainable development model.

Creating a shared digital infrastructure to exchange technologies and best practices will open new prospects in sectors such as healthcare, education, public administration, and industry.

6. As the global economy faces diverse challenges, including climate change, protectionism, and rising conflicts, how is Uzbekistan responding to this moment?

瓦利耶夫：Uzbekistan maintains a sober and realistic assessment of the risks present in today’s world and their implications for our region.

Much like China, we are engaged in a consistent fight against global warming. In 2017, Uzbekistan signed the Paris Agreement and committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 35% by 2030, as well as increasing the share of green energy to 50% of total energy generation.

To meet these targets, our national development strategy—"Uzbekistan – 2030"—includes 12 priority objectives aimed at addressing climate-related challenges. These include conserving natural resources, expanding the use of alternative energy sources, and implementing energy-efficient practices across economic sectors.

We have already made significant practical strides. For example, as part of the national "Green Space" initiative, 138 million tree and shrub seedlings were planted last year, 257 green parks were established, and 215,000 hectares of land on the dried-up Aral Sea bed and surrounding areas were covered with vegetation.

At the same time, Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms and modernization have coincided with a period of deglobalization and increasing protectionist measures globally.

Uzbekistan’s principled position is based on a commitment to multilateralism and a fair distribution of the benefits of globalization. For this reason, we are actively working toward completing negotiations for accession to the World Trade Organization. Achieving WTO membership will mark a historic milestone in Uzbekistan’s long journey toward integration with the global economy.

Accordingly, we advocate for the creation of favorable conditions for the sustainable development of all humankind. On the international stage, Uzbekistan—together with like-minded countries—supports open, equitable, and mutually beneficial cooperation aimed at building a harmonized world where the progress of all nations and peoples is prioritized.

7. How is the China–Central Asia cooperation format viewed in the region? What are the expectations for the upcoming summit and multilateral cooperation overall?

瓦利耶夫：Exactly two years ago, the first historic summit of the leaders of China and Central Asia marked the beginning of a new era of cooperation. The success of this landmark event is undoubtedly due to the leadership of President Xi Jinping, who proposed a series of consistent initiatives that were fully supported by all heads of state in the region. Thanks to the political will and joint efforts of our leaders, this format has quickly proven itself to be a highly effective platform for building trust-based dialogue and fruitful practical collaboration.

Uzbekistan views the "China – Central Asia" platform as a long-term framework for forward-looking partnership - one that supports the transformation of our region into a zone of stability, sustainable development, and technological advancement.

Today, the New Central Asia is a space characterized by mutual respect, good-neighborliness, openness, and constructive cooperation. We have entered a more advanced phase of establishing systematic and trust-based dialogue on key developmental issues.

One of the most important achievements in recent years has been the consistent resolution of even the most complex regional challenges. A recent and inspiring example is the signing of the historic agreement in Khujand on the tripoint of the borders between Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Both intra-regional trade and economic exchanges with China and other partners continue to grow steadily. In 2024, Uzbekistan’s total trade turnover with Central Asian countries and China reached $20 billion—nearly doubling in the last five years.

The number of joint ventures with partners from Central Asia and China has exceeded 5,000. Last year, Uzbekistan welcomed 8.5 million visitors from neighboring countries. Citizens of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan can enter Uzbekistan using domestic ID documents, and Chinese citizens enjoy visa-free access for up to 30 days.

All of this vividly illustrates a qualitatively new level of trade, industrial cooperation, and humanitarian exchange.

China has always supported the initiatives of Central Asia, whether political or economic. Today, China confidently holds its position as one of the leading trade and investment partners for the countries of the region.

Therefore, all Central Asian countries expect the upcoming second summit to deliver breakthrough agreements and tangible projects. This format has already built a strong reputation as an efficient and responsive mechanism for practical cooperation.

On the political front, amid global turbulence and shifting international dynamics, it is essential to demonstrate unity and a collective commitment to maintaining stability and sustainable development in the region.

In economic terms, a key breakthrough would be launching the groundwork for deep, long-term scientific and technological collaboration—especially in innovation-driven industries.

On the humanitarian side, our peoples are increasingly interested in deepening mutual understanding through intellectual and cultural exchanges.

In essence, we are speaking about concrete, impactful projects that align with China’s global initiatives in the fields of security, development, and civilization dialogue. In this sense, Central Asia has the potential to become a laboratory for the successful implementation of these ideas in a specific regional context. The necessary conditions are already in place—and our countries are eager to realize these opportunities in close partnership with China.

8. Many outside the region tend to view Central Asia with a broad brush, failing to distinguish much between the countries. What important nuances do you think they are missing?

瓦利耶夫：This perception may stem from the historical and cultural-civilizational commonality among the peoples of Central Asia. Indeed, most Central Asian nations share Turkic roots, and they are united by common traditions, cultural values, and religion.

However, Central Asia is a highly multifaceted region, and each country is unique in its own way.

For example, geography has played a defining role in shaping distinct economic paths. While Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan are rich in mineral resources, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are endowed primarily with water and hydropower resources.

The structure of each country's economy also differs significantly. Kazakhstan’s economy is dominated by industry, services, and large-scale monoculture agriculture. In contrast, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have thriving small and medium-sized businesses, traditional agriculture, and significant hydroelectric capacity.

Uzbekistan, meanwhile, stands out for its relatively high level of economic diversification. In addition to the sectors traditionally prominent in the region, we have developed full-scale production of automobiles—including electric vehicles—consumer electronics, and electrical equipment. Moreover, Uzbekistan is rapidly emerging as a regional leader in IT, artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, and the development of unmanned technologies.

Yet, despite these differences, there is a clear and shared understanding in the region: only by working together can we become a competitive force on the global economic map and a consistently attractive destination for foreign investment.

A united Central Asia represents a large and dynamic market of nearly 80 million people and a real GDP of around $400 billion, with average annual growth of approximately 6%.

The strategic role of our region will only continue to grow, as will its importance to immediate neighbors and key economic partners—such as China, Russia, and others with whom we maintain strategic relations.

I am confident that the upcoming summit in Astana, along with the bilateral talks between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the event, will further unlock the vast potential of Central Asia and help us jointly tackle the challenges we face in the years ahead.

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