From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Tue Aug 01 2000 - 11:02:39 EDT
Chinese envoy suggests ways of boosting Uzbek-Chinese trade
Excerpt from report by Uzbek TV on 30th July
[Presenter] Our studio guest today is Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to Uzbekistan Li Jingxian. Hello! A sitting of the
Uzbek-Chinese commission held this week is the main reason why we have
arranged this meeting with you today. Let me first ask you the following
question: Do you think China is really intending to cooperate with
Uzbekistan more closely?
[Jingxian in Chinese with Russian translation overlaid] Relations between
the two countries are developing rapidly. We would like to note the special
role in this of the personal contacts between the presidents.
As for economic and trade relations, we need to point out that the quality
of cooperation in these areas has improved. It is true that bilateral trade
turnover is falling, for a whole series of objective reasons. It is
important in this case to look for new forms of partnership. I can suggest
two most promising ones: attracting Chinese investment in the Uzbek market
and taking part in bids announced by the country. In this respect, we have
already gained experience. A Chinese company is involved in a project for
upgrading Tashkent airport. We also have another major project for building
a new line of the capital's underground railway to be carried out by a
company from my country.
[Q] Now, let me ask you a question concerning the sitting which took place
this week. Why is the development of relations in science and technology
also being given rapt attention?
[A] Indeed, a whole range of issues were discussed [at the sitting]. Members
of the Chinese delegation had the opportunity to visit several scientific
and research institutions in Uzbekistan and outlined promising areas of
bilateral cooperation, which included vegetable plant farming, use of solar
energy, seismology, prospecting and study of commercial materials.
[Q] Mr Ambassador, we have the following question for you: how actively is
China supporting the project for restoring the Great Silk Road? As far as I
know, Beijing has its own interests in this.
[A] In the last few years, the leaders of our countries have been paying
particular attention to the restoration of the Great Silk Road, which
begins in China and goes through Uzbekistan. As known, the construction of
the Kashgar-Osh-Andijan-Tashkent highway is in full swing. It will be
commissioned soon. This will be the shortest route to Europe from Asia. As
for the railway road that will link China with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan,
currently, a technical and economic survey has been carried out by experts
from the three states.
[Q] As known, China is a six-plus-two group member, which in itself suggests
that official Beijing supports Uzbekistan's proposals to set up this
political club, created to work towards a settlement and have an impact on
the settlement of the Afghan crisis. Could you please tell us what is
Beijing's position and reaction to Tashkent's proposals to ensure security.
You know what they are and what I mean - proposals for jointly combating
international terrorism and extremism and drug dealing. What is the
reaction of Beijing to all these proposals?
[A] The Chinese leadership backs the initiative demonstrated by the Uzbek
president's [Islam Karimov] to settle the conflict in Afghanistan. I can
say that the Chinese side is also interested in the soonest possible ending
of the war, as the still unresolved Afghan issue is posing a threat to
stability in the region. And we are ready to cooperate on this issue. I
might add that meetings between the two presidents in Beijing last year
[1999] in [Tajik capital] Dushanbe in July [2000] paid particular attention
to ensuring security in Central Asia. Tasks were outlined to combat
national separatism, religious extremism and international terrorism. The
fact that Uzbekistan attended the Shanghai [Five] forum as an observer
will, without doubt, assist the settlement of the said issues.
[passage omitted to end: correspondent thanks the ambassador for the
meeting]
Source: Uzbek Television first channel, Tashkent, in Russian 1430 gmt 30 Jul
00
BBC Mon CAU 310700/** ajba/sa
|
