On September 12, a delegation led by Professor Chen Dongxiao, President of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS), visited the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED). During the visit, the Chinese delegation met with Sodyk Safoev, Rector of UWED, Akram Umarov, First Vice Rector of UWED and Director of the Institute for Advanced International Studies, Odil Gafarov, Deputy Director of IAIS, and Abbos Bobokhonov, Head of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at IAIS.

During the conversation, the parties discussed prospects for expanding academic and scientific cooperation. The rector emphasized the strategic importance of Uzbekistan’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and listed such priority areas for UWED as sustainable development and in-depth study of the Chinese language and Chinese reality from the perspective of local experts. The dialogue also highlighted the relevance of the SCO and the Belt and Road Initiative for the region.

Proposals were made at the meeting to implement joint research projects between the two institutions, organize scientific exchange programs, and expand the network of experts. In this regard, it was particularly emphasized that IAIS serves as a bridge in strengthening the scientific potential of Uzbek-Chinese academic cooperation.