Uzbek official hails China's role in sustainable development of Uzbekistan

China and Uzbekistan enjoy a profound and full-fledged partnership, said a senior Uzbek official, while hailing China's role in helping to achieve sustainable development of the Central Asian country.

In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) aired on Friday, Sodiq Safoyev, first deputy chairman of Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, reaffirmed that one-China principle is a cornerstone of Uzbek foreign policy, adding that China and Uzbekistan support each other on many issues.

"Definitely. Never before did we have such a profound and full-fledged partnership. Of course, the first factor determining such a situation is the personal trust and relationship between two leaders. And I think that due to that today we might think that political dialogue is without any cloud on the sky. We fully support each other on the international organizations, and Uzbekistan firmly supports the stance of China vis-a-vis the confronting three evils. [The] One-China approach (principle) is a strong foundation of Uzbek foreign policy. At the same time, China always expresses its unwavering support to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of Uzbekistan. And we think that today we might see that China's presence in Central Asia and in Uzbekistan is a factor of sustainable development," said Safoyev.

Safoyev also recognized China as Uzbekistan's major economic partner.

"China's presence, it's about helping the development. For instance, today, China is number one economic partner of Uzbekistan. Our bilateral trade is more than 17 billion U.S. dollars. For Uzbekistan, it's a big figure. More than 6,000 Chinese companies are working in Uzbekistan in different fields, [such as] energy, not only traditional energy but the new renewable energy, especially Chinese companies working with the solar energy, wind energy - they are very important for upgrading the level of the Uzbek economy. Chinese companies working in construction, in transportation are very important for modernization of Uzbek economy and linking it to the world markets," he said.

Uzbek official hails China's role in sustainable development of Uzbekistan

A special "Silk Road" film showcase was held in Cairo earlier this week, bringing five acclaimed Chinese films to Egyptian audiences and helping strengthen cultural ties between China and Egypt.

The five Chinese productions featured were the rally comedy Pegasus 3, the space documentary Shenzhou 13, the family drama Dear You, the animated adventure Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector, and the drama The Happiness Train.

The three-day film showcase, organized by China Media Group (CMG), drew Chinese and Egyptian filmmakers and moviegoers to talk about filmmaking and the film industry during the event.

Some Egyptian viewers said they could easily relate to the films' stories, regardless of differences in language or culture, and that the showcase gave them a chance to experience the everyday life and different perspectives from across China.

"Chinese films left a huge impression on me. Seeing China's first live-action space film and its outstanding effects was truly awe-inspiring," said Mustafa, an Egyptian movie- goer.

Since its launch in May 2026, the "Silk Road" film showcase has traveled to several Belt and Road countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, and most recently, Egypt.

Ahmed Badawy, managing director of the Egypt Film Commission, expressed support for the initiative.

"This is the second consecutive year we have hosted a Chinese film festival in Egypt. Last year's films were met with high acclaim and affection from Egyptian audiences. The most important aspect of this event is the cultural exchange between Egypt and China. Film is the art form that best reflects this mutual understanding and helps people learn about each other's customs. I see this as a strong and positive beginning for further exchanges," he said.

Egyptian film professionals also noted the rapid development of Chinese cinema in recent years, particularly in filmmaking technology, storytelling and visual effects. They said the showcase helped them learn more about China's film market and industry.

The event was widely covered by Egyptian media outlets.

Cairo hosts Chinese film showcase