From April 25 to 28, 2026, Niyazmuradov Ikhtiyor, Head of the China Liaison Department at the Office of the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, led a delegation to Hainan. The visit also included Deputy Minister of Agriculture Kosimov Akmaljon and Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Abidkhadjaev Umid.  

During the visit, Zou Guang, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee, Secretary of the CPC Danzhou Municipal Committee, and Secretary of the Yangpu Party Working Committee, met with Niyazmuradov and his delegation in Haikou. Zou provided an update on the progress of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). He highlighted that since the launch of special customs operations, policies have been gradually implemented, and the province’s reputation as an open economy has greatly increased.

As China’s only tropical island province, Hainan enjoys unique strengths in high-efficiency tropical agriculture globally. Zou mentioned that Hainan is prepared to implement the important consensus made by the leaders of both countries. They will work to strengthen practical cooperation and friendly exchanges with Uzbekistan across different sectors, including agriculture, science and technology, talent cultivation, and trade. This effort aims to elevate the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights in this new era.

Niyazmuradov thanked Hainan for the warm and thoughtful reception, praising the progress in developing the Hainan FTP. He highlighted the long-standing history and deep friendship between Uzbekistan and China. He also expressed hope that both countries would work together to fulfill their leaders' important agreements and advance high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative.

He stated that Uzbekistan is willing to learn from Hainan’s successful approach to modern agricultural development, aiming to enhance practical cooperation with Hainan in areas such as modern agriculture, sister-city partnerships, and trade. He also welcomes more Hainan companies to invest and do business in Uzbekistan.

During their visit, the delegation engaged in discussions with various organizations, including the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hainan Committee, and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences. They also explored new avenues for agricultural cooperation with companies such as Hainan State Farms Group and Luoniushan Co., Ltd.

Additionally, they visited the Tropical Crop Germplasm Resources Exhibition Garden, the Hainan State Farms Museum, and the Hainan State Farms Product Exhibition Center, expressing their eagerness to deepen collaboration in modern agriculture.

Uzbekistan, located in Central Asia, covers 448,900 square kilometers and has a population of 38.07 million. China and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations on January 2, 1992, and have since maintained friendly exchanges.

In 2024, the China-Uzbekistan relations were upgraded to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era. Uzbekistan is emerging as a significant source market for inbound tourism to Hainan, with a new direct air route between Sanya and Tashkent now operational.