On the eve of the 2025 China-Central Asia Summit, I revisited Uzbekistan for the second time. Unlike my previous exploration of its cultural heritage sites, this trip to Tashkent for the Tashkent International Investment Forum revealed a nation harmoniously preserving historical traditions while actively embracing cutting-edge technologies. And China, I observed, ranks high on its list of most desired partners in this transformative journey.
From textile magnates seeking automated looms to solar developers eyeing photovoltaic tech, Uzbek entrepreneurs are vocal about their pivot eastward. Beyond conference halls, Chinese footprint is transforming the very streets of Uzbekistan’s capital.
A new town forged in partnership
Five kilometers from the Presidential Palace, the High Town complex rises like a metaphor for bilateral ambitions. Built and operated by Chinese companies, its 600,000-square-meter construction expanse will eventually house luxury residences, top-grade offices, a hotel with panoramic views, a kindergarten and the city’s second largest mall – already operational with Chinese retailers like Xiaomi, Huawei, Li-Ning and MINISO drawing crowds.
“This isn’t just property development,” said Fan Xiaojun, project manager of High Town. “Less than a month after opening, many local customers came to me and thanked us Chinese for investing in them and building such a good environment.”
When completed in 2028, High Town will bring convenience to the surrounding 150,000 residents while serving as a template for other similar Sino-Uzbek projects. Co-working with Uzbek teams, Chinese firms are installing gas pipe lines, solar power plants and new industrial projects.
“For the last five years, construction sector is booming here. Foreign investors are attracted to the construction sector to build new objects, new buildings, new infrastructures, to renovate the old cities,” said Sevara Atabaeva, business development coordinator at UET Construction.
Electric streets, made by China
Chinese technology is increasingly visible throughout Tashkent, extending beyond construction sites.
BYD electric vehicles are seen everywhere with “Build Your Dreams” shinning on them. Electric buses glide silently along Mustaqillik Avenue. As a capital prone to traffic jam, Chinese construction teams are building dedicated bus lanes in the city center.
In 2023, China became Uzbekistan’s top foreign investor, channeling over $7 billion into energy, digital technology and green development.
Taking effect on June 1, the visa-free agreement between China and Uzbekistan, which allows 30-day stays, now facilitates greater people-to-people exchanges. More than 80 flights take off from China to Uzbekistan each week, loaded with teams to visit and invest on the Central Asian ground.
Investment in critical metals
Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) has doubled in the past eight years. The country has set a goal of increasing its GDP to $200 billion by 2030. Last year, investments in the national economy reached $35 billion and exports reached $27 billion.
This year, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev vows to attract more investment in critical metals.
“The potential of our subsoil resources is valued at $3 trillion,” said Mirziyoyev. “Investors implementing a full-cycle operation – from geological exploration to the production of finished goods – will be granted rent tax refund for 10 years.”
“We know that Chinese researchers and companies are very fast working on development of technology and creating new manufacturing facilities,” said Amir Abidov, deputy board chairman at Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex. His team is looking for technological partnerships with Chinese companies. “We have over 70 projects, worth than $1.6 billion. The most projects are on critical raw materials, such as tungsten, molybdenum, selenium and tellurium – rare metals, and nickel, cobalt, lithium, chrome and chromium.”
The future ahead
For the second China-Central Asia Summit, the leaders of the six countries will gather in the capital of Kazakhstan. New opportunities and cooperation initiatives are to be expected, with China and Uzbekistan expected to work closer in various of domains.
In January 2024, the two heads of state announced that China and Uzbekistan decided to develop an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era and promote the building of a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future from a higher starting point.
In Tashkent’s electric streets and rising towers, that future is already taking shape.
