UZBEKISTAN - CHINA RELATIONS AT 30: TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

This article investigates the strategic evolution of Uzbekistan-China relations from 1995 to 2025, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of their bilateral cooperation. Drawing on a mixed-method approach that incorporates official statistics, international development reports, and policy analysis, the study explores five core areas of collaboration: economic integration, political alignment, cultural diplomacy, educational exchange, and security coordination. Special attention is given to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a structural driver behind enhanced connectivity, foreign direct investment (FDI), and large-scale infrastructure development in Uzbekistan. The research reveals both achievements and asymmetries in the partnership, notably in trade imbalances, dependency risks, and institutional capacity gaps. It highlights China’s dominant role in shaping Uzbekistan’s external economic orientation while underscoring Uzbekistan’s efforts to leverage this engagement for domestic modernization, regional positioning, and strategic diversification.