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Beijing. A cultural, educational, and media event titled “Uzbekistan–China: Heritage That Unites Civilizations” was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the People’s Republic of China. During the event, the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan presented a new cooperation program with China’s leading museums, research institutions, and cultural organizations.

Organized with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the event brought together more than 200 representatives of the diplomatic corps, government agencies, leading museums, research institutes, archaeologists, art historians, cultural figures, media organizations, and expert communities from both countries.

Participants were shown a documentary introducing the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, established at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The film highlighted the Center’s establishment, its unique concept, principal exhibitions, scientific and educational activities, and its international mission to study, preserve, and promote the rich heritage of Islamic civilization.

The central focus of the meeting was the expansion of cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the study, preservation, and promotion of cultural heritage. The two sides presented plans for organizing joint museum exhibitions, archaeological research and expeditions, implementing collaborative academic publishing projects, developing multimedia exhibitions, launching specialist exchange programs, and advancing educational initiatives.

Special attention was also given to joint efforts to identify, study, and promote historical and cultural heritage reflecting the centuries-old ties between the peoples of Uzbekistan and China, forged along the Great Silk Road.

The event featured addresses by Farhod Arziev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the People’s Republic of China; Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan; Farhod Maqsudov, Director of the National Center of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan; as well as representatives of China’s leading academic institutions and members of the Uzbekistan–China joint archaeological expedition.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding scientific, museum, and cultural cooperation. They emphasized that collaboration between the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan and China’s leading institutions would serve as an important platform for implementing new international projects and strengthening humanitarian partnership between the two countries.

In his remarks, Farhod Arziev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the People’s Republic of China, stated:

“Today, Uzbekistan–China relations have reached an unprecedented level. The solid foundation of our comprehensive strategic partnership is built upon the close, sincere, and friendly relationship between the leaders of our two countries—President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.”

According to him, humanitarian cooperation and cultural diplomacy have become among the most important pillars of bilateral relations, while joint projects in science and culture are giving this partnership new practical substance.

During the event, it was emphasized that the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, established at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, is evolving into an international platform that brings together museums, research institutes, archives, libraries, and research centers from around the world to preserve, study, and promote their shared cultural heritage.

Khan Sohail, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, stated:

“Today, we have had the privilege of witnessing a truly historic event. A large-scale presentation of the magnificent Islamic Civilization Center, established in Tashkent, was held in Beijing. It has already become a center of global significance. I say this with a special affection for Uzbekistan, as I spent some of the best years of my student life in your country. Therefore, I know well that this project was the noble vision of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Its realization has embodied the essence of the New Uzbekistan initiative and showcased the spirit of great civilizations to the world.”

As noted during the event, the agreements reached with Chinese partners will create broad opportunities for organizing joint exhibitions, conducting collaborative research, implementing publishing and educational projects, and introducing advanced museum technologies.

Han Hua, Secretary-General of the Beijing Club for International Dialogue, emphasized:

“Uzbekistan is one of the world’s important centers of culture and art. This is especially evident in the New Uzbekistan. Above all, it is the result of the wise policies of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. With great dedication, he is presenting to the world his country’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, as well as its status as the homeland of great scholars whose lives and works made an immense contribution to the advancement of global science and enlightenment.”

Another highlight of the event was the inauguration of two permanent exhibitions at the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the People’s Republic of China. One is the “New Uzbekistan” photo exhibition, showcasing the country’s modern development. The other is a book exhibition featuring scholarly publications of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU) dedicated to the history and cultural heritage of Uzbekistan, as well as the activities of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan.

Liu Guoxiang, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of History and Director of the Museum of Archaeology, stated:

“We see a remarkable convergence in the efforts of the esteemed President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Xi Jinping to promote to the international community the fact that the territories of Uzbekistan and China are cradles and true heirs of great civilizations. It was through the visionary leadership of our heads of state that the Museum of Archaeology was established in Beijing and the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent. As Chinese delegations that have visited the Center have noted, the exhibitions of the world's largest Museum of Islamic Civilization vividly present the pre-Islamic civilizations, the First and Second Renaissance periods, and the nation-building journey of the New Uzbekistan. It is therefore no coincidence that the Center has been included in the Guinness World Records. In the near future, our institutions will establish a formal partnership and begin implementing major joint research projects.”

The event concluded the official visit of the delegation of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan to the People’s Republic of China. During the visit, the delegation held meetings and negotiations with the leadership of several of the country’s leading museums and research institutions. Cooperation was discussed with the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, the Museum of Archaeology of China, the Palace Museum (Gugong), the Shaanxi History Museum, and the Harbin Museum.

At the conclusion of the visit, a number of memoranda of cooperation were signed, and agreements were reached on the implementation of joint exhibitions, research initiatives, museum partnerships, and educational projects.

One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was the identification of rare Sogdian cultural artifacts preserved in Chinese museums and private collections, as well as other valuable objects related to the history of present-day Uzbekistan.

The two sides also agreed to launch a new program of joint projects to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the People’s Republic of China. The program provides for the preparation of a scholarly album dedicated to Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage preserved in Chinese collections, the organization of reciprocal exhibitions, the expansion of cooperation between museums, and the advancement of joint academic research.

The outcomes of the visit once again confirmed the readiness of Uzbekistan and China to elevate their cooperation in the study, preservation, and promotion of cultural heritage to a qualitatively new level. Both sides expressed their commitment to the consistent implementation of long-term joint museum, research, educational, and cultural projects.