Gao Xiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, meets with Farhod Arziev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the People’s Republic of China. Photo: Zhu Gaolei/CSSN

On Jan. 9, Gao Xiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), met with Farhod Arziev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the People’s Republic of China, and his delegation in Beijing.

Gao noted that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, China–Uzbekistan relations have achieved a historic leap forward and been elevated to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era. Friendly cooperation between China and Uzbekistan not only serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, but also contributes to regional and global peace, stability, and development. At a time when the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century and facing growing uncertainties and instabilities, Gao said, the two countries should join hands to further deepen cooperation across various fields and inject greater certainty and positive energy into the international community.

Gao emphasized that academic and think tank exchanges constitute an integral part of China–Uzbekistan friendship. CASS stands ready to work closely with Uzbekistan’s academic, think tank, and education communities to conduct collaborative research on major issues of mutual concern, jointly cultivate talent, and strengthen cooperation in historical and cultural studies, particularly in archaeology, thereby providing theoretical resources and intellectual support for the sustained and healthy development of bilateral relations.

Ambassador Arziev said that Uzbekistan highly appreciates and fully supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping. He expressed gratitude for China’s long-standing and valuable support for Uzbekistan’s socioeconomic development and improvements in people’s livelihoods. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in China looks forward to continuing its friendly and cooperative relationship with CASS, promoting exchanges between the academic communities and think tanks of the two countries, and jointly advancing the development of bilateral relations.