Uzbek academic builds bridges with smart agriculture in China

Farkhod Kasimov, an academic from Uzbekistan who now serves as a technical advisor to a smart agricultural machinery company in east China's Shandong Province, is committed to finding creative ways to help strengthen cooperation between his homeland and China, two partners in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Following the signing ceremony, associate professor Farkhod Kasimov from Tashkent State Technical University in Uzbekistan has officially assumed his new position in Shandong Province.

Uzbekistan, a country with a rich history and beautiful landscapes, plays an important role in China's agricultural cooperation and is a key participant in the Belt and Road Initiative. As part of these expanding exchanges, in 2018, Farkhod was selected for China's Ministry of Science and Technology's Talented Young Scientist Program.

"After coming here, we used a project of smart agricultural machinery with our team, and we have tested this type of machines Nowadays, I want to develop this project and add some artificial intelligence," he said.

While discussing his plans in an interview, Farkhod offered to cook and share a traditional Uzbek pilaf with the crew.

"I'm happy if you like the pilaf, because pilaf is our national food and we prepare it often," he said.

Farkhod said that during the years he's traveled between China and Uzbekistan, he has witnessed the continued progress of the Belt and Road Initiative and has gained a lot from the experience.

Reflecting on these developments, he shared his perspective on the growing international ties the Initiative has helped foster.

"The Belt and Road Initiative has truly united researchers and given scientific researchers an international view. Nowadays in Uzbek markets, you can see more Chinese products like electronic products and electric cars made in China. In Jinan City, you can also see stores and restaurants from Türkiye and Kazakhstan. I believe that the Belt and Road Initiative has brought benefits and deepened our relationship," he said.

Uzbek academic builds bridges with smart agriculture in China

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday held positive and constructive phone talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and the interaction between the two heads of state.

During the talks, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States in September was smooth and successful.

The two heads of state agreed to enrich the connotation of a new vision of China-U.S. relations, providing clearer strategic guidance for exploring a right approach for the two countries to get along with each other, Wang said.

The stable momentum of China-U.S. relations has not come easily and is the two major countries' rational choice based on their respective and common interests, Wang said.

China, having maintained a stable and consistent policy towards the United States, is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with the U.S. side, properly handle differences and sensitive issues, support each other in hosting the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the G20 Summit, and work to bring a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability into effect and deliver results, Wang said.

Chinese FM holds positive, constructive phone talks with Rubio on China-U.S. ties