China–Uzbekistan relations

China–Uzbekistan relations (Xitoy-O'zbekiston munosabatlari) are the bilateral relationship between China and Uzbekistan. Both countries are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

History
According to the Ming Shilu, ambassadors from the Uzbek Khanate and Bukhara Khanate corresponded with Ming China more than 20 times between 1488 and 1618.

China recognized Uzbekistan's independence on 27 December 1991 and the two countries established relations on 2 January 1992. Both countries signed the "China-Uzbek Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation" in 2005, during Uzbek leader Islam Karimov's meeting with Chinese leader Hu Jintao in Beijing.

Uzbekistan has cooperated with China in extraditing Uyghur activists from the country. In July 2019, UN ambassadors of 37 countries, including Uzbekistan, signed a joint letter to the United Nations Human Rights Council defending China's persecution of Uyghurs. Uzbekistan was one of 16 countries that defended China in 2019 but did not do so in 2020.

Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov called China Uzbekistan's "closest partner" on a 26 August 2019 meeting.

Economic relations
China is the second-largest importer of raw materials from Uzbekistan. As of 2024, significant Chinese investment in the country has resulted in approximately 600 Chinese-Uzbek joint enterprises.

China has also increasing its development loans to Uzbekistan. China regards Uzbekistan as a critical part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Cultural and educational
In 2013, Uzbekistan and China signed a cultural exchange agreement to increase engagement in culture, education, science, and technology. The first exchange per the agreement occurred in 2017, during which seminars, exhibitions, and performances were held. These exchanges have been repeated since.

China provides support for the preservation of and restoration of cultural heritage sites in Uzbekistan.

China Central Television (CCTV) and Uzbekistan's National Television and Radio Corporation (UzTRK) cooperate to produce joint programs and documentaries.

Uzbekistan has two Confucius Institutes.