Uzbek president's visit signals future collaborations

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, president of the Republic of Uzbekistan, arrived in Shenzhen at 1 a.m. Jan. 25 to attend the Uzbekistan-China Investment Forum held later that morning. The visit marked the last stop on his three-day state visit to China.

Mirziyoyev was the first head of state to visit Shenzhen this year.

The Uzbekistan-China Investment Forum was hosted by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade. Political and business representatives from China and Uzbekistan gathered for in-depth exchanges and discussions on strengthening the implementation of the important consensus previously reached by the heads of state of the two countries, further invigorating economic and trade ties, fostering bilateral investment, and facilitating greater openness.

Mirziyoyev and Huang Kunming, Party chief of Guangdong Province, delivered keynote speeches at the forum. Shenzhen Party chief Meng Fanli also attended the forum’s opening ceremony.

Expressing his delight at the choice of Shenzhen as the forum’s venue, Mirziyoyev commended the city as a symbol of China’s remarkable economic development.

On the afternoon of Jan. 25, Mirziyoyev visited the headquarters of BYD, the leading global manufacturer of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and batteries, in Pingshan District. He participated in the launch ceremony that marked a milestone — the production of electric and hybrid cars at BYD’s production plant in the Uzbek province of Jizzax. The ceremony also featured the delivery of BYD’s 10,000th NEV in Uzbekistan.

During a talk with Wang Chuanfu, chairman of BYD, Mirziyoyev said that BYD’s vehicles are gaining traction in Uzbekistan. “We hope to join hands with BYD to boost the development of Uzbekistan’s NEV industry,” he said.

The Shenzhen-based NEV maker is planning to build a second car plant in Uzbekistan, according to Wang.

Wang and Mirziyoyev shake hands at the launch ceremony that marked the start of production of electric and hybrid cars at the production plant in the Uzbek province of Jizzax.  Photos by Lin Jianping unless otherwise stated

Mirziyoyev and his spouse wave good-bye at the Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport before entering their private plane Jan. 25.

Mirziyoyev talks while standing beside a BYD Yangwang U8.

Wang Chuanfu (2nd L), chairman of BYD, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev (R), president of the Republic of Uzbekistan, give a thumbs-up while standing beside a BYD Yangwang U8 at a launch ceremony marking the production of electric and hybrid cars in Uzbekistan held at BYD’s headquarters in Pingshan District on Jan. 25. Zhang Yu

Wang introduces BYD’s blade battery to Mirziyoyev at the BYD exhibition hall.

Mirziyoyev delivers a keynote speech at the Uzbekistan-China Investment Forum in Shenzhen on Jan. 25.