TASHKENT, September 10 (Itar-Tass) - As part of a state visit of China’s President Xi Jinping to Uzbekistan, the two countries have signed 31 intergovernmental documents to the total amount of $15 billion, of which the Chinese investment is due to stand at $7.7 billion, the presidential press service said Tuesday.
Uzbekistani mass media said that the sides had also signed a protocol to the Agreement on the Principles of Construction and Operation of a Gas Pipeline from Uzbekistan to China, which envisions construction of a fourth line with a throughput capacity of 30 billion cubic meters /bcm/ a year.
Uzbekistan’s Fund for Reconstruction and Development and the China Development Bank signed an agreement on a joint financing of priority economic projects in the amount of $11.6 billion.
Beginning with 2002, China has invested more than $6 billion in the Uzbekistani economy and the sides expect now that bilateral trade will stand at $3.4 billion in 2013 and $5 billion in 2017.
Monday, the two countries signed a declaration on further development and deepening of the relations of strategic partnership.
It says among other things that the two sides will strictly abide by an equitable and mutually beneficial position and will rebuff hegemony and expansionism. The document also indicates that the Chinese and Uzbekistani governments will continue putting up resolute opposition to terrorism and drugs trafficking.
The two countries agreed to expand cooperation in the energy sector, mechanical engineering, agriculture, and the construction industry. The document says they will continue maintaining high-level contacts and exchanging opinions on the pressing items of the international agenda.