Digital economy and innovation: a new stage of cooperation between Uzbekistan and China

Since gaining independence, and especially over the past eight years, Uzbekistan has been paying special attention to equal cooperation with all countries of the world, mastering modern trends and their implementation in various spheres of public life. These processes contribute to the development of economic sectors and ensuring the well-being of the population.

As ​​noted by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the development of information technologies and communications serves the rapid progress of all spheres and creates significant convenience for citizens. Today, the bulk of services are provided through information technology. The efficiency of other industries is also directly related to this process. In this regard, it is important to further expand the conditions and transform Uzbekistan into a modern center of information technology.

Based on this, international cooperation in this direction is becoming increasingly relevant. The Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as an authorized body in the field of digitalization, information and communication technologies, digital education, telecommunications and artificial intelligence, works on the basis of clear goals and plans. Along with the USA, Russia, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, the People's Republic of China occupies a special place.

Establishing close cooperation with China, especially in the field of ICT, is mutually beneficial for both parties.

Today, cooperation in the field of information and communication technologies technology is carried out on the basis of about ten agreements.

There has been active interaction in the field of digital economy and innovation. Thus, on March 29, 2025, in Almaty, as part of the artificial intelligence exhibition AlmatyFair.ai, a tripartite memorandum was signed between IT Park, the Kazakh company “Astana Hub” and the Chinese company “Growth Vision Pro Ltd”. The document provides for supporting start-ups, attracting investments to the Chinese IT market and expanding regional capital investments.

As part of the cooperation, it is planned to develop acceleration programs, organize business missions, establish contacts with investors and intensify research initiatives (R&D).

In addition, cloud services have been introduced in Uzbekistan together with BYD Auto Industry Company for cars supplied to the country's market.

Another important area of cooperation is postal services. The national operator "Uzbekistan Pochtasi" JSC is actively working with the Chinese postal operator.

In the first half of 2025 alone, the total weight of incoming and outgoing correspondence between Uzbekistan and China amounted to 3,085 kg, and the number of registered letters - 6,014. At the same time, bilateral negotiations are underway with the Chinese postal operator for the delivery of goods, ordered in online stores.

Uzbekiston Pochtasi JSC also accepts, processes and delivers goods ordered on the Chinese marketplaces AliExpress, Temu and Shein. Such items arrive in Uzbekistan through designated operators in China, Latvia and Vanuatu. Delivery is carried out on the basis of agreements between Uzbekiston Pochtasi JSC and international logistics companies.

As ​​a result, over the six months of 2025, Uzbekiston Pochtasi JSC delivered more than 226 tons of postal items. New areas of cooperation are currently being discussed with China's designated operator, China Post.

Ties between educational institutions are important for the future of both countries. Youth, receiving knowledge according to world standards, is the foundation of tomorrow.

In this regard, in 2023, the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi signed bilateral memorandums with Xi'an University, Northwestern Polytechnic University, Chinese Institute of Communications and ZTE University on the development of human resources and the implementation of academic exchanges programs.

In addition, in collaboration with the Huawei and ZTE companies, a Digital Education Cabinet was created at TUIT and the Huawei Academy of Information and Network Technologies.

As part of the Seeds For the Future educational program, more than 50 students completed an internship at the head office of Huawei in China.

We are also looking for partners in China to implement identification technology based on the pattern of palm veins. In this direction, cooperation has been established with Hubei Yi Chen Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd." At this stage, issues of development and commercialization of MyID Palm hardware and software systems are being discussed together with Shengdian Century Technology Co. Ltd.”

The work done in the field of ICT between the two states is briefly outlined. The question arises: what is the current state of cooperation?

On January 24–25, 2024, in the city of Xi'an, within the framework of the Uzbek-Chinese business forum, companies from the two countries signed 12 contracts totaling over $1 billion.

These agreements are aimed at implementing projects for the development of telecommunications infrastructure and mobile networks in 2024–2028.

Also on November 18–23, 2024, during a visit to Shanghai, the delegation of Uzbekistan held meetings with the leadership of the Chinese Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) and the China Telecommunications Technology Laboratory (CTTL) - Pang Huan and Chen Zhe. During the negotiations, issues of cooperation were discussed, a draft memorandum was prepared, and an agreement was reached to sign an official memorandum with CAICT.

Today, Uzbekistan and China, which is one of the most developed countries in the world, intend to consistently continue mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of digitalization, ICT, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, postal services and digital education.