On April 14, 2026, Uktam Rakhimovich Salomov, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, led a delegation to Chongqing University (CQU). Wang Shuxin, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Chongqing University, met with Deputy Minister Salomov and his delegation. The meeting was also attended by Hu Wanli, Director of the Eurasian Division of the China Science and Technology Exchange Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China; Yang Yongbin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Honorary Dean of the School of Civil Engineering of CQU; Yang Jun, Vice President of CQU; and Xie Hui, Deputy Director of the Office of International Affairs and Vice Dean of the Institute for Science and Technology Development of CQU.

Wang Shuxin introduced CQU’s history, talent cultivation, and disciplinary strengths, with a particular focus on the university’s advantages in engineering. He noted that, under the broad framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation and exchanges between CQU and relevant departments and higher education institutions in Uzbekistan have become increasingly close and productive. He said that Deputy Minister Salomov’s visit marks a key stage in the transition of China-Uzbekistan inter-university cooperation from exchanges and mutual learning to practical and in-depth collaboration. Wang emphasized that CQU, while aligning itself with major national priorities, attaches great importance to cooperation with Uzbekistan. He stated that CQU is ready to give full play to its strengths as a Double First-Class university, actively serve China’s overall diplomatic agenda, jointly advance the development of the China-Uzbekistan Joint Laboratory on Urban Science, deepen cooperation in urban environmental governance, smart cities, and related fields, and explore new models of joint talent cultivation, with a view to opening a new chapter of comprehensive and in-depth cooperation between China and Uzbekistan in education, science and technology, and talent development.

Deputy Minister Uktam Salomov introduced the sound momentum of cooperation between China and Uzbekistan, as well as Uzbekistan’s latest progress in expanding access to higher education. He spoke highly of Chongqing University’s achievements in scientific research, innovation, and talent cultivation. Entrusted by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, he expressed the hope that the two sides would further expand the forms and enrich the substance of educational cooperation, and actively promote various joint training programs between CQU and Uzbek institutions. He also expressed support for substantive cooperation between universities in joint research, talent exchange, and technology transfer, with the aim of creating a new model of mutually beneficial educational cooperation.

Following the meeting, the delegation visited the China-Uzbekistan Joint Laboratory on Urban Science, where they were briefed on the laboratory’s latest research achievements, technological applications, and future development plans in urban resilience, smart transportation research and development, and smart urban planning. The delegation fully recognized the laboratory’s research capacity and its achievements in research commercialization and technology transfer.

During the visit, witnessed by Deputy Minister Salomov, Academician Yang Yongbin signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of the China-Uzbekistan Joint Laboratory on Urban Science, while Director Ilkhamov signed on behalf of the Agency for Innovative Development under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The signing laid a solid foundation for the two sides to deepen research collaboration and promote the practical application of research outcomes.

The visit further enhanced mutual trust and friendship between the two sides. Both sides agreed to take the Belt and Road Initiative as guidance, rely on platforms such as the China-Uzbekistan Joint Laboratory on Urban Science, continue expanding practical cooperation in higher education, scientific and technological innovation, and talent cultivation, and jointly build a new benchmark for China-Uzbekistan cooperation in education, science and technology, thereby contributing to the building of a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future.