The 3rd Meeting of China-Uzbekistan Joint Committee on Inter-governmental Science and Technology Cooperation was held in Beijing on February 15, 2017. The Meeting was co-chaired by Yin Hejun, Chinese Chair of the Committee and Vice Minister of Science and Technology; and Odilkhuja Parpiev, Uzbek Vice Chair and Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Coordination of Science and Technology Development (CCSTD) under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan. Also present was Daniyar Kurbanov, Uzbek Ambassador to China.

The Chinese side introduced the latest development of science and technology in China, policies and progress of international science and technology cooperation, and specific measures taken by the Chinese government to further reform of the science and technology system, support the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy and advance the Belt and Road initiative. The Uzbek side introduced its reform of the R&D management system, development of science, technology and innovation, and progress in international science and technology cooperation, especially the main achievements in areas like earth science, water resources and new materials.

The two sides exchanged views and reached broad consensus on deepening bilateral cooperation in science, technology and innovation among other issues. They shared the view that science and technology cooperation is an important part of China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership, and agreed to make full use of this Joint Committee, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms, further unleash the potential for bilateral cooperation based on existing sound cooperation, deepen cooperation in such priority areas as molecular biology, genetic science, material science, energy-saving automation and food science, and jointly build project-based cooperation platforms.

In addition, the two sides discussed and adopted the 2016 plan for inter-governmental science and technology cooperation, identified 15 jointly funded R&D projects, and agreed to launch the 2017 call for proposals in due course.

After the meeting, the two sides signed the Minutes of the Third Meeting of the Joint Committee on Inter-governmental Science and Technology Cooperation between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Madjid Karimov, Deputy Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan attended the meeting as a member of the Uzbek delegation. On the Chinese side, representatives included officials from the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Chinese Ministry of Education and the Bureau of International Cooperation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.