Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 18 - 19 May 2023, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a state visit to China (Xi’an city), during which he held bilateral negotiations with the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, and also took part in the first face-to-face summit in the "Central Asia - China" format.

It is noteworthy that the city of Xi’an, the ancient capital of Chinese empires, where the Great Silk Road originated, was chosen as the venue for the summit.

This once again emphasizes the centuries-old history of relations between the Chinese and Central Asian peoples, inextricably linked with the Great Silk Road - a caravan route that promoted the development of trade, information exchange, inter-civilizational dialogue and mutual enrichment of cultures.

During the summit, in order to achieve closer coordination and practical interaction within the framework of the "Central Asia - China" format, the leader of Uzbekistan put forward a number of important initiatives to develop promising areas of multifaceted cooperation.

The head of our state outlined the further development of cultural and humanitarian ties as one of such areas. In particular, it was noted that it is necessary to continue the regular holding of humanitarian exchanges, exhibitions, concerts and tours, joint sports events, which have become a good tradition, with the wide involvement of young people. In this regard, it was proposed to hold a Forum of Young Talents from Central Asia and China in 2024.

In this context, it is important to emphasize that focusing on youth topics is a demonstration that Uzbekistan attaches particular importance to taking care of young people, their physical, spiritual and intellectual development.

Since it is precisely the harmoniously developed, initiative, possessing modern knowledge and skills that the youth is a great driving force of development and progress, the "architect" of the future of any state and society.

Central Asia is considered one of the "youngest" regions in the world, where more than 50% of the population is youth. This is a kind of precious "demographic dividend" for the countries of the region.

In this regard, great importance in the interaction between the countries of Central Asia and China should be given to the development of youth cooperation aimed at promoting the physical, mental and spiritual development of the younger generation, involving them in large-scale joint development projects.

The holding of the Forum of Young Talents from the countries of Central Asia and the PRC will help strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between young people, revealing their creative, intellectual, spiritual and moral potential. In addition, the Forum can serve as a kind of platform for supporting advanced scientific and technological achievements, demonstrating various start-up projects for the youth of the participating countries.

In general, the wide involvement of young people in cultural and humanitarian exchanges between the countries of Central Asia and China will contribute to the further development of comprehensive interaction between the countries of the region and China. The younger generation will make a significant contribution to strengthening friendship and expanding the dialogue of cultures between peoples, which in turn will further strengthen mutual understanding, interethnic and interfaith cooperation, and develop good neighborly relations.

Madina Aripova,

chief researcher at ISMI

under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan