Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Umurzakov Sardor said during a video meeting with Wang Wentao, China's commerce minister, on March 31 that his country will actively participate in the fourth edition of the China International Import Expo later this year.

During the meeting, both sides expressed their intentions to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, as well as speed up the discussion and signing of a medium- and long-term plan for such cooperation.

Since the phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev last May when they reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation in epidemic control, economic development and trade, the two countries have made great progress in these areas, said Wang.

Bilateral trade between the two countries has bucked the downward global trend as China retains its position as the largest trading partner of Uzbekistan, Wang added.

China plans to import more Uzbek products in the future and push the bilateral trade volume to over $10 billion as soon as possible, said Wang. He added that China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and dual circulation development pattern will unleash the huge potential of China's market and provide massive opportunities for Uzbekistan and other countries.

Cooperation between Chinese and Uzbek financial institutions is also expected to be enhanced.

Sources: The Information Office of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, China Daily