ASTANA, Jun 18 (Alliance News): Chinese President Xi Jinping, during a bilateral meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit, expressed deep concern over the escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran, warning against actions that threaten regional peace and sovereignty.
Referring to the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, Xi stated, “Israel’s military action against Iran has suddenly escalated tensions in the region, and China is deeply concerned.”
He added that military measures are not the solution to conflicts and called for an immediate and peaceful resolution.
“All parties should promote early conflict resolution and prevent further escalation,” Xi emphasized, asserting China’s readiness to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability.
The meeting between the two leaders also focused on deepening China-Uzbekistan bilateral cooperation. Xi hailed the progress made in bilateral ties over the past year, including two high-level meetings in Beijing and Astana.
He reiterated China’s commitment to sharing development and governance experiences and advancing joint projects that serve mutual interests.
President Xi proposed enhanced cooperation in free trade, investment, and infrastructure, specifically highlighting the strategic importance of building the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
He also called for collaborative efforts in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, smart agriculture, and public health.
On the multilateral front, Xi urged stronger coordination within frameworks like the China-Central Asia Mechanism and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to safeguard global economic order and promote justice and fairness.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev praised Xi’s leadership, describing him as one of the world’s most effective politicians who has successfully steered China’s domestic and foreign policy.
He lauded China’s role as a major driver of the global economy and expressed Uzbekistan’s strong interest in expanding cooperation in all sectors.
Following the talks, both leaders signed a bilateral protocol marking Uzbekistan’s accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO), signifying a new milestone in the two nations’ partnership.
The two heads of state also exchanged views on the worsening Middle East situation and reiterated their mutual stance on supporting regional peace efforts.
