The third Think Tank Forum of China plus Central Asia is currently underway in northwest China’s Xi’an. During the event, which began Thursday and lasts until Sunday, former Uzbekistan foreign minister Vladimir Norov has spoken exclusively to CGTN’s Zheng Songwu, praising China’s role in helping the Central Asian nation develop its renewable energy infrastructure. Let’s listen to what he had to say. ZHENG SONGWU CGTN Reporter “How do you view the relations between Uzbekistan and China? Do you have any expectations for their further development?”
VLADIMIR IMAMOVICH NOROV Former Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Former Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization “If we talk about Uzbekistan and China relationship, we should look to the deep history of our countries. Our relationship has begun since more than 2,000 years ago, from the time of the first ambassador of Han Emperor, Zhang Qian, who came to the Fergana Valley of our country. But if we talk about our modern relationship between our two countries, we then have comprehensive strategic partnership, at the same time the trade and economic cooperation between our countries last year reached nine billion U.S. dollars. And we’re looking that this year, it may be ten billion dollars or more. And China participated in many important projects in Uzbekistan, China is one of the important partners of our country. The renewable energy today is more important, and with China, we’re developing the solar energy plants and wind energy plants, so China is playing an important role in our energy security. Our cooperation has been multifaceted and we are interested in further strengthening our comprehensive strategic partnership with China.”
ZHENG SONGWU CGTN Reporter “This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. What impact has the involvement in the BRI had for Uzbekistan?” VLADIMIR IMAMOVICH NOROV Former Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Former Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization “As an adage goes in China that if you would like to be rich, you should construct the roads first. And in fact, for Central Asian countries, for Uzbekistan, it is important, we are geography-isolated countries. Certainly, the Belt and Road Initiative has allowed our region, including Uzbekistan, to avoid this geographic isolation and to be connected to world market.”
ZHENG SONGWU CGTN Reporter “In what area do you believe Uzbekistan could further deepen its involvement in the BRI?” VLADIMIR IMAMOVICH NOROV Former Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Former Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization “Yeah, now we are more focusing on digital economy, and that’s why we fully support digital silk road. This is incentive because China actually has been with great success in this field. Now China accounts for 56 percent of online trade worldwide. That’s why we looking forward for cooperation in this field with China, and with the Chinese corporate companies, we are implementing several projects in this way. And I hope that in the nearest future, we will achieve a big success in this field.”
Source: CGTN