China-Uzbekistan partnership built on complete trust, understanding: Uzbek official

The all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era between China and Uzbekistan goes beyond economic cooperation, encompassing complete mutual trust and deeper understanding, a senior Uzbek official said. China and Uzbekistan are friendly neighbors with a shared future and good partners in common development. China has long been Uzbekistan's largest trading partner and a major source of investment.

In 2024, the two countries established an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era, advancing the building of a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future from a higher starting point.

During a recent interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Sodiq Safoyev, first deputy chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, elaborated on the significance of the upgraded bilateral relationship.

"I think that it’s not only about enlarging economic cooperation; it’s about more trust and understanding each other. It’s not only government-to-government partnership; parliament-to-parliament partnership is very important today, and I think parliamentarian diplomacy might and should serve the deepening of ties between our two nations. Due to the personal relationship between leaders of our nations, today we have an absolutely different atmosphere, without any reservations, complete trust in each other, and understanding that we wish each other only the best," said Safoyev.

He praised China's Belt and Road Initiative, hailing it for not only promoting connectivity in the region but also bringing people from different nations closer.

"Today when we see in other parts of the world, in other regions, fragmentation, sanctions, new conflicts, growing suspicions among other countries. Exactly China and Uzbekistan are connecting our regions. Chinese initiative -- Belt and Road -- is exactly what we need today. It's about connectivity, and it's not only about transportation routes connecting the nations. It's more about connecting people, connecting nations," Safoyev said.

China-Uzbekistan partnership built on complete trust, understanding: Uzbek official

Britain's retail footfall went down 1.7 percent year on year in August, according to data jointly released on Friday by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and retail analytics company Sensormatic Solutions.

The figure registered a slower fall compared with the 2.1-percent decline in July.

Specifically, high street footfall dropped by 3.1 percent year on year in August, shopping center footfall decreased by 0.5 percent, while that for retail park rose by 1 percent, the data showed.

The cooler temperatures brought shoppers back after a scorching July to stock up on essentials and back-to-school items, BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson said, noting that retail parks were the standout performers.

August delivered a modest improvement for UK retail footfall, but "it is worth remembering that this remains negative growth against last year's already modest performance, underlining the continued pressure facing retailers," said Andy Sumpter, head of consulting and analytics for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Sensormatic Solutions.

With retailers facing cost pressures and households watching every penny, government support on business rates and energy costs could help keep prices down, support investment and sustain jobs and communities across the country, Dickinson said.

Britain's retail footfall down in August