Uzbek – Chinese Relations

The People's Republic of China recognized the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 27 December 1991. The diplomatic relations were established on January 2, 1992.

Friendly and mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation covers the whole complex of relations. The trustworthy relations, which were established between the Heads of the two countries, underlie this cooperation. The Leaders of the two countries regularly exchange high level visits and meetings.

President Islam Karimov visited China in 1992, 1994, 1999, 2005 and 2011. In 2001 and 2006 he visited Shanghai to participate in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summits, and in August 2008 - Beijing to take part in the XXIX Olympic Games opening ceremony.

The President of the People's Republic of China Szyan Szemin (1996) and Hu Jintao (2004, 2010) paid a state visit to Uzbekistan.

The important step was state visit of President I.A.Karimov to China in which raise the uzbek-chinese relations to a new qualitative level. 

According to the Economic and Trade Agreement (1994) a Most Favored Nation Treatment was established between two countries.

According to the data of State statistics committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in 2010 trade turnover accounted for $2,085 mln. (growth 1.7 %), including export $899,9 mln., import - $1185,4 mln.

347 companies with Chinese investors, including 57 with 100% Chinese capital, function in Uzbekistan.

64 Chinese companies are accredited in the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade. The main area of activity of these enterprises include conducting export-import operations, textile production, processing of agricultural products, IT.

Cooperation in the spheres of culture, science and technology are actively developing. In 2003 the monument of a miniaturist Kamoliddin Bekhzod, which is the first monument set for the sake of a representative of Uzbek culture was unveiled in the framework of the sixth world sculpture forum in Chanchun.

Friendship Societies “Uzbekistan-China”, established in 1998 and “China-Central Asia” (2007) play a significant role. In June 2010 representative of Friendship Society Chjan Deguan visited Uzbekistan to hold an international exhibition “Great silk road – travel in the name of peace” within the framework of the SCO summit.

In the sphere of cooperation in education, exchange of students and interns within state and inter-agency lines, in particular in the framework of mutual studying of Chinese and Uzbek languages, is expanding.

In the sphere of tourism, in June 2009, a Memorandum on presenting to Uzbekistan the status of a tourist destination country for group travels of Chinese citizens to Uzbekistan was signed.

Uzbek – South Korean relations

Seoul recognized the Independence of Uzbekistan on 30 December 1991. The diplomatic relations were established on 29 January 1992.

Since that ten high level meetings have taken place.

Reciprocal state visits in May 2009 in Uzbekistan and on February 2010 in Republic of Korea confirmed the commitment of the parties to further develop strategic partnerships, implementation of agreements and arrangements, which were achieved during the previous summits.

In 1995 a Parliamentary Association of Friendship “Korea-Uzbekistan” at National Assembly of ROK was created. In 2005 a Cooperation Group with Korea was established at the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan. In August parliament delegation of RK visited Uzbekistan, in November 2008 women delegates of Parliament visited Korea.

Since 1995 political consultations between the foreign offices of the two countries have been held, last 8th round of which took place in November 2010 in Seoul.

Close relations at the municipal level have been established and there is an agreement on cooperation between Tashkent and Seoul, Fergana and Yongin, as well as Namangan and Songnam.

In accordance with the Trade Agreement of 1992, the Most Favored Nation Treatment was achieved. Seoul occupies a leading position among trade partners of Uzbekistan in Asia-Pacific.

According to the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, in 2010 the trade turnover increased by 31.5% and accounted for $1.614 bln., export of Uzbekistan - $158.2 mln., import - $1.456 bln.

Total direct investment from South Korea to Uzbekistan exceeded $5 bln., including reclaimed more than $ 2 bln.

Realization of creating the FIEZ Navoi is being actively conducted with the participation of South Korean businessmen.

Since 1992 Korean Education Center has been operating in Tashkent, which organizes language trainings, courses for professional development for university lecturers and students on a contest basis.

Korean language, culture and computer centers in the Uzbek State University of World Languages and Samarkand State Institute of World Languages are successfully operating. Over the past period of time, these centers have been equipped with latest literatures, videos and audio cassettes with the assistance of the Embassy of ROK in Tashkent.

Totally in 9 higher educational institutions of Uzbekistan the departments of Korean studies were opened and Korean language is taught in 22 schools.

The Friendship Society “Uzbekistan-Republic of Korea” has been operating since 1999.

From November 2009 to October 2010 an exhibition of ancient culture of Uzbekistan for the first time for Korean people were presented in the National Museum of Korea with a unique historical exhibits, confirming long-standing cultural and spiritual ties between the countries.

Uzbek – Japanese relations

Japan recognized the independence of Uzbekistan on December 28, 1991. The diplomatic relations were established on January 26, 1992.

Over the past period the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited Japan three times (1994, 2002 and 2011) and in August 2006 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Uzbekistan. In May 2010, within the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Tashkent the Japanese delegation led by then finance minister and the current Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

The Joint Statement of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Japan dated May 17, 1994 laid the foundation of the legal basis for cooperation. In 2002, the Joint Statement on Friendship, Strategic Partnership and Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan was signed.

During the Official Visit of the President Islam Karimov to Japan on February 8-10, 2011 the Joint Statement and 3 memorandums on: Economic Cooperation; Cooperation between the Foreign Ministries; Development of Foreign Trade and Investment between the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, as well as 18 agreements and memorandums between economic units of both countries were signed.

The first Ambassador of Japan Ukeru Magosaki (1993-1996) and Ambassador Kyoko Nakayama (1999-2002) made a significant contribution to deepening of cooperation between two countries. The latter was awarded the “Dustlik” (“Friendship”) order.

Inter-parliamentary ties are being actively developed through various forums with the participation of the parliamentary leagues of friendship «Democratic Party of Japan - Uzbekistan» and «Liberal-Democratic Party of Japan - Uzbekistan». During the visit of Uzbek delegation led by the Chairman of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan to Tokyo in December of 2010 the first inter-parliamentary forum «Uzbekistan-Japan» was held.

Since 2002 political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs have been held on regular basis.

Cooperation in the framework of the Dialogue «Central Asia plus Japan» initiated by Tokyo in 2004 is an important mechanism to develop bilateral relations. Three Foreign Ministers Meetings (MFF) (2004, 2006 and 2010) and five Senior Official Meetings of participating countries of the format was held. On August 7, 2010 the Third MFF of Dialogue with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan and current Secretary General of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan Katsuya Okada was held in Tashkent.

With a view to facilitate the implementation of projects of grant and technical aid, establish contacts between business and public groups of both sides, the regional representative offices of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), as well as the Uzbek-Japanese Center were opened in Tashkent during 1999-2001.

Since May 2004 the Honorary consulate of the Republic of Uzbekistan led by a well-known Japanese businessman Toshio Toura has been operating in Osaka.

Founded in 1994 the Uzbek-Japanese and the Japanese-Uzbek Committees on Economic Cooperation are playing significant role in developing the trade and economic relations. The 10-th joint meeting of these committees was held on February 8, 2011 in Tokyo and as a result 18 documents were signed between the economic entities of both countries in oil and gas, chemical, mining, energy, engineering and other fields.

The intergovernmental agreement on liberalization, mutual protection and promotion of investments, entered into force on 24 September 2009, facilitates the growing interest of Japanese companies to Uzbekistan and setting up persistent bonds with Uzbek partners in implementation of joint long-term investment projects. The same year in November business forum «Uzbekistan-Japan: Economic Dialogue and the prospects of partnership» was hosted in Tashkent.

In April of 2010 a large-scale conference «New investment opportunities for the Japanese partners in Uzbekistan» was organized in Tokyo. About 400 representatives of official circles and business groups of Japan took part in it.

10 joint ventures in fields of foreign and domestic trade, transportation services, tourism and healthcare, engineering and metalworking, light industry, including one -with a 100% Japanese capital were set in Uzbekistan. 12 representatives of Japanese companies are accredited in Uzbekistan.

A number of socially significant and infrastructure projects in spheres of healthcare, education, energy, transport, telecommunications and others were carried out due to financial and technical assistance of Japan to Uzbekistan.

One of the latest major projects is the agreement on modernization of Talimarjan Thermal Power plant, and a memorandum on economic cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Japan (February, 2011.), where the Japanese side decided to allocate funds to the electrification of the railway «Karshi - Termez».

The scientific and academic groups of both countries have been successfully cooperating over the long period of time. A Japanese archeologist Kyuzo Kato made a significant contribution to the discovery of the monuments of the early Buddhism era in the South regions of Uzbekistan. Along with him, for the great contribution to the strengthening of the partnership, former first Vice-President of the Banking and Financial Academy Toshiharu Kitamura and President of the University of Waseda Takayasu Okushima were awarded «Dustlik» (“Friendship”)orders.

In 2002 the Head of the Republic of Uzbekistan was awarded the title «Honorary Doctor» of Waseda and Soka Universities, and on the land of the latter in 2004 a monument to Alisher Navoi was fixed up.

The President of the Japanese Buddhist Organization «Soka Gakkai International» Daisaku Ikeda was awarded the title of «Honorary Citizen of Navoi» for significant contribution to the popularization of the literary heritage of national poet of the Republic of Uzbekistan Alisher Navoi.

In 1999 «Uzbekistan-Japan» friendship society was established. Its main partners are «Japan-Uzbekistan» Friendship Society and «Fukushima-Uzbekistan» Cultural and Economic Exchange Association.

In 2001, on the territory of «Uzexpocenter» a Japanese garden was opened in Tashkent with thousands of young sakura trees planted.

With financial support of well-known community activist of Japan Ikuo Hirayama who in 2002 was awarded with the title «Honorary citizen of Tashkent» the Uzbek-Japanese Scientific and Creative Center «Caravansary of Cultures» was founded in Tashkent. In 2005 a «Hiroshima Peace Stone» was fixed up on the territory of the center. In 2003 «The Bell of Peace» monument of the similarly named Japanese social organization was fixed up in the cultural and recreational park named after Babur in Tashkent. It symbolizes the contribution of Uzbekistan in strengthening peace and stability in Central Asia.

Uzbek – Singaporean relations.

Singapore recognized the independence of Uzbekistan in April 1992. The diplomatic relations were established on April 8, 1997.

On January 2007, the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I.A.Karimov to the Republic of Singapore was realized, which opened a new chapter in the relations of the two countries. An agreement on implementing 14 projects on trade-economic and investment cooperation with sum total $1.65 bln. has been achieved.

The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Singapore has been operating since October 2007.

In December 2010 Singapore hosted the First round of political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.

In 2010 the trade turnover accounted for $178 mln.

20 enterprises with Singapore capital are operating in Uzbekistan including 14 joint ventures and 6 foreign enterprises.

10 offices of Singapore companies accredited in MFERIT operating in the area of trade in cotton, yarn, grain, timber, food and supplies of telecommunication products.

Within the framework of the Technical Cooperation Program implemented by the Government of Singapore, Uzbek specialists from varies ministries and agencies have studied in the short-run courses in this country.

In September 2007, a Decision "on organizing the activity of the Singapore Management Development Institute in Tashkent (SMDIT)" was taken. The SMDIT is a higher educational institution, which was established by the Singapore Management Development Institute in Singapore and Association of Banks of Uzbekistan.

Uzbek – Indonesian relations

The Republic of Indonesia recognized the Independence of Uzbekistan on December 28, 1991. The diplomatic relations were established on June 23, 1992.

Indonesia opened its embassy in Tashkent in May 1994. The embassy of Uzbekistan has been operating in Jakarta since December 1996.

In June 1992 the President of Uzbekistan paid a State visit to Jakarta. In April 1995 the reciprocal State visit of the President of Indonesia Suharto to Uzbekistan took place.

In December 2005 Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia on establishing the Committee of bilateral consultations was signed. So far five rounds of foreign ministerial consultations were held in Uzbekistan and Indonesia.

Today the legal basis consists of 21 bilateral documents.

In 2010 the trade turnover accounted for $5,3 mln.

In September 2002, with a view to developing friendship, cooperation and cultural and enlightening ties between the people of the two countries, the "Uzbekistan - Indonesia" Friendship Society was established.

In September 1997, a “Protocol on Establishing Sister City Relationship between Samarkand and Banda-Acheh” was signed.

Since 2001 an Indonesian Language Center under Samarkand Institute of Economics and Service, where annually more than 20 students have trainings, has been operating. An Indonesian language and culture class was opened at Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages and the Indonesian language is taught as a facultative subject.

Uzbek – Malaysian Relations

Malaysia recognized the Independence of Uzbekistan on 1 January 1992. The diplomatic relations were established on 21 February 1992.

The foundation for development of friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation was laid during the exchanges of Official visits of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in 1992 and Prime Minister of Malaysia Mohathir Mohammad in 1993. In 2003 the King of Malaysia His Majesty Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail paid a visit to Uzbekistan.

Main events in the development of bilateral relations at the contemporary stage were the State Visit to Malaysia in October 2005 and reciprocal visit of the Prime Minister Ahmad Badawi in November 2008, where a number of intergovernmental agreements in the prospective areas of mutual cooperation were signed.

In 2006 and 2009 Speakers of the Lower Chamber of Malaysian Parliament Ramli bin Ngah Talib and Pandikar Mulia visited Uzbekistan. In April 2010 the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis Dilorom Tashmuhamedova paid a visit to Malaysia.

The political consultations between foreign ministries serve as an important mechanism to promote relations. The last meeting was held in December 2010 in Malaysia.

According to the State Committee of Statistics of Uzbekistan, bilateral trade between two countries in 2010 accounted for $72,3 mln. (growth by 225% comparing to 2009), export - $37 mln., import - $35,3 mln.

Founded in 2005 Uzbek-Malaysian Joint Trade Committee plays a significant role in developing trade and economic relations. The second meeting was held on 20 October 2009 in Tashkent.

In 1998 “Uzbekistan-Malaysia” Friendship Society was established in Tashkent to develop cultural and humanitarian relations between social circles of both countries.

Uzbek – Vietnamese relations

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) recognized the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan on December 27, 1991, the diplomatic relations were established on January 17, 1992. The Embassy of SRV in Tashkent was opened in 1993.

In 1996 the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid an official visit to Vietnam and put an ink to the Treaty on the Fundamentals of Interstate Relations and Cooperation, as well as several intergovernmental treaties.

With a view to develop comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, on 9-13 September 2010 the Minister of Public Security of Vietnam Le Hong Anh visited Uzbekistan and signed an Intergovernmental Treaty on Cooperation in Warning and Combating Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Other Forms of Crimes.

In December 2010 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Indonesia was appointed as an Ambassador to Vietnam.

On 26-28 July 2010 the Third foreign ministerial consultations and the Forth meeting of the intergovernmental commission between Uzbekistan and Vietnam was organized in Hanoi.

With a view to implement the agreements reached in the sphere of development of bilateral economic cooperation, on 17-21 November 2010 a business delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam visited Uzbekistan and signed 2 Memorandums of Understanding on Cooperation in Light Industry.

Within the implementation of arrangements in the sphere of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, since December 1995 “Uzbekistan-Vietnam” and “Vietnam-Uzbekistan” Frienship Societies have been functioning. During 2010 both sides many times exchanged visits in the framework of cultural cooperation. In particular in September-October of that year representatives of “Uzbekistan-Vietnam” Friendship Society led by the Chairman T.Kuziev visited Hanoi to participate in the Jubilee events on occasion of the 65th Anniversary of Proclamation of Vietnam’s Independence and 1000th Anniversary of Formation of the country.

As to scientific and education cooperation, at present a small group of Vietnamese citizens are upgrading their qualifications on working specializations in professional and technical colleges in Tashkent.