Li Qiang in Tashkent: 5 takeaways for China–Uzbekistan trade and freight
Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Tashkent on 17–18 October. Trade hit $16.1 billion, customs and e-commerce documents were signed, and both sides pledged to speed up the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang made an official visit to Uzbekistan on 17–18 October 2026. He met President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. The two sides signed cooperation documents on trade, customs, e-commerce, education, health and climate.
1. Trade is at a record high
Chinese official data put two-way trade at US$16.1 billion in 2025, up 17.9% year on year. By Uzbekistan’s count, China accounted for 23% of the country’s foreign trade turnover in January–August 2026. China remains Uzbekistan’s main source of imports.
2. The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway gets a push
Li said China “stands ready to ensure the high-quality implementation” of the project. Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan is ready to work with China to accelerate construction. The railway officially launched in December 2024 and is now under construction.
3. Customs and e-commerce documents
The signed documents include agreements on customs and e-commerce. Full texts have not been published yet, but agreements like these usually aim to simplify border clearance and speed up online-retail parcels. We will break down the detailed rules once they are released.
4. A logistics hub in Andijan
The same week, President Mirziyoyev met the heads of CAMCE, China Energy and Sinoma Energy and backed their proposal for a logistics hub in Andijan region. Andijan is the Uzbek end of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, so the hub could become the main transit point for the Fergana Valley.
5. Investment and joint ventures
More than 6,000 joint ventures with Chinese participation operate in Uzbekistan. China pledged to back more investment and to import more Uzbek products — which means more cargo moving in both directions.
What it means for importers
In the short term, rates and transit times do not change: cargo still moves through Kazakhstan by rail and road. But the direction is clear: a new railway, an Andijan hub and simpler customs mean more choice and a shorter path for anyone shipping from China.
Buraq Logistics moves containers, full trucks and consolidated cargo from China to Uzbekistan through its own warehouses in Khorgos, Yiwu and Zhongshan. As the new rules take effect, we will route our clients’ cargo the most efficient way.
Sources: Xinhua (18 Oct 2026), CGTN (18 Oct 2026), Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan.