International Seminar on History, Culture, Science, Economic and Trade Relations between China and Uzbekistan Held in Tashkent

On November 18th, the International Seminar on History, Culture, Science, Economic and Trade Relations between China and Uzbekistan was held in Tashkent. Over 150 people attended the seminar, including Begimkulov Uzokboy Shoimkulovicg, Vice Minister of Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education (MOHSSE) of Uzbekistan, Mannanov Abdurahim Mutalovich, Rector of the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies, Sun Lijie, Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Uzbek sinologists and representatives of Chinese teachers. The seminar was co-organized by Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies and the Confucius Institute in Tashkent.

At the opening ceremony, Mannanov Abdurahim Mutalovich expressed in his speech that the seminar is of great significance to Chinese studies and teaching in Uzbekistan, as well as to such areas as history, philosophy, economy and science in both countries.

Mannanov delivering a speech

Sun Lijie pointed out that China-Uzbekistan relations have achieved its peak in history. Taking the Belt and Road Initiative jointly established by the two countries as a good chance, China and Uzbekistan would rejuvenate the Silk Road together and embrace new development opportunities for cooperation in various fields.

Sun Lijie delivering a speech

Sun emphasized that Uzbekistan, as an important center for civilizations of Central Asia, enjoys unique advantages in Chinese teaching and cultural communication. With the joint efforts of both sides, the recent two years have witnessed the unprecedented development momentum of the Confucius Institute in Tashkent, and the talents graduated from the Confucius Institute in Tashkent are becoming the new force in the future cause of China-Uzbekistan friendship. In addition to talents training, the Confucius Institute has also carried out a variety of activities to establish a platform for young people of both countries to communicate and improve together.

In his speech, Begimkulov expressed his congratulations on the convening of the seminar and hoped that Uzbekistan and China can further strengthen their educational exchanges and cooperation in academic research.

Begimkulov delivering a speech

Yang Taibao, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute in Tashkent noted that as the talent demand for China-Uzbekistan exchanges is growing, the number of Chinese language learners is increasing. The Confucius Institute in Tashkent will provide a better platform for students to learn Chinese, get familiar with Chinese culture and have a better understanding of China. The seminar, as a distinctive program of the Confucius Institute in Tashkent, attracts more attendees year by year and becomes increasingly influential. The Confucius Institute in Tashkent will continue to support and promote the academic exchanges between China and Uzbekistan in such fields as history, culture, science, and economy.

Yao Taibao delivering a speech

Saodat Nasyrova, Foreign Director of the Confucius Institute in Tashkent said that the seminar, co-organized by the Confucius Institute in Tashkent and the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies, would discuss on topics including China-Uzbekistan relations, Chinese history and philosophy, translation of Chinese ancient books, Chinese teaching and sinology research. So far, it has published research anthologies and compiled textbooks, making positive contributions to global Chinese studies.

Saodat delivering a speech

At the Seminar

This international seminar consisted of five sub-sessions that respectively center on language and teaching methods, philosophy and philology, history education and culture, economics and the forum for young sinologists. 115 scholars from academic institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Lanzhou University, the Confucius Institute in Tashkent and Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies had in-depth discussions on such issues as the history, culture and science of China and Uzbekistan, as well as the development of economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Story and photos by Yang Lijuan