On June 28, 2021, the fifth meeting of the Sub-Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation of the China-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee was held via video link in Beijing and Tashkent. The meeting was co-chaired by Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang and Uzbek Minister of Innovative Development Ibrohim Abdurahmonov.

　　At the meeting, the two sides exchanged information on their domestic policies in the field of science, technology and innovation and latest science and technology development plans; reviewed the R&D cooperation and agreed to select a new round of jointly funded intergovernmental R&D projects; briefed each other on the progress of cooperation in combating COVID-19 as well as the building of cooperation platforms including joint laboratories and joint R&D centers; and agreed to further strengthen the coordination and cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

　　Minister Wang Zhigang said that the heads of state of the two countries reached important consensus on strengthening the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and the plan to build a new Uzbekistan, comprehensively raising the scale, quality and level of bilateral cooperation, and continuing cooperation on COVID-19 response, and gave clear instructions on science, technology and innovation cooperation between the two countries. Wang said that the two sides should follow through on the consensus of the two heads of state and continue to add new substance to the cooperation on science, technology and innovation. Minister Wang Zhigang pointed out that China and Ukraine have a lot in common in the understanding of science, technology and innovation, and in the science and technology development strategies and priorities, which has laid a good foundation for making joint plans and taking common actions in the field of science, technology and innovation. Under bilateral and multilateral mechanisms such as the China-Ukraine Sub-Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the two sides have carried out practical and fruitful cooperation on the alignment of science, technology and innovation policies, researcher mobility and training of young scientists, joint research and platform construction. Research institutions of the two sides should continue to expand exchanges and cooperation in key areas such as renewable energy, biopharmaceuticals, geology and agriculture, to highlight the science and technology penetration and diffusion in bilateral cooperation and harness science and technology to better promote economic and social development, improve people’s life, protect the environment and achieve the carbon peak and neutrality goals.

　　Minister Abdurahmonov applauded China’s efforts in COVID-19 response and its achievements in the development of science, technology and innovation, and reaffirmed that China is one of the most important science, technology and innovation partners for Uzbekistan. He noted that science, technology and innovation cooperation between the two countries enjoys a sound foundation and broad prospects, and that Uzbekistan is willing to work with China to deepen practical cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovation, boost the scale and quality of cooperation between research institutions, and explore new models of cooperation against the backdrop of the pandemic to enhance people’s wellbeing and jointly address global challenges.

　　At the end of the meeting, Minister Wang Zhigang and Minister Abdurahmonov jointly signed the minutes of the meeting.

　　Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jiang Yan, Director-General Ye Dongbai and Deputy Director-General Chen Linhao of the Department of International Cooperation of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology for Social Development of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology Tian Baoguo, Director of the China Science and Technology Exchange Center Gao Xiang, Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Chen Xilin, Director-General of the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology Sun Ke, Secretary of the Party Leading Group and Deputy Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Sun Yongjian attended the meeting.