The inaugural China-Uzbekistan Development Forum of 20, themed A New Stage in China-Uzbekistan Relations: Shared Vision, Shared Future, convened at Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). Co-initiated by the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies at SISU and the Center for Development Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the forum is designed as an annual event with rotating host cities, featuring keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, and field visits to foster institutionalized cooperation between universities and think tanks of both countries and advance the building of a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future.
The gathering brought together over 20 scholars and experts from universities, think tanks, research institutions, and government agencies of both nations. Discussions spanned six thematic areas: China-Central Asia relations amid shifting global and regional dynamics; shared development visions and national priorities; economic cooperation; security collaboration; multilateral dimensions including the SCO, Belt and Road, and China-Central Asia Summit; and the trajectory of China-Uzbekistan relations through 2030–2050.
Professor Yang Cheng, Executive Director of the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies at SISU, presided over the opening ceremony. Yin Dongmei, Party Secretary of SISU, and Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director of the Center for Development Strategy of Uzbekistan, delivered opening remarks. At the closing session, both sides commended the forum for its substantive and constructive discussions, noting that the exchange had deepened mutual understanding and trust while laying groundwork for expanded cooperation in think-tank collaboration, people-to-people ties, and other fields.
Participants agreed that deepening mutual understanding between China and Central Asian states carries particular significance amid today's complex and volatile international landscape. They recognized that China-Uzbekistan relations have entered a high-level development phase, with the two countries aligned in development vision, institutional modernization, and regional stability aspirations. Going forward, both sides should strengthen cooperation in industrial synergy, technology, connectivity, digital transformation, and green development, while boosting think-tank exchanges and youth talent programs to elevate the partnership from cooperative ties to joint development. As a flagship platform for high-level institutionalized dialogue, the forum directly serves Uzbekistan's Uzbekistan 2030 development strategy and the China-Central Asia community with a shared future. Through annual rotation and sustained focus on economics, diplomacy, security, and governance, the two sides are steadily consolidating the intellectual and public foundations for a closer China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future.
