China, Uzbekistan negotiating to further simplify visa regime
By Abdul Kerimkhanov
Uzbekistan attaches priority importance to strengthening strategic partnership with China, expanding cooperation between the two countries in all areas based on the principles of mutual benefit, consideration of interests and equality in trade, economic, investment, financial and humanitarian spheres.
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Yan said that China and Uzbekistan are negotiating to further simplify the visa regime, Podrobno.uz reports.
In recent years, bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and China have been developing rapidly. The countries began to cooperate more actively in the sphere of economy, education, and health care. More and more citizens of Uzbekistan began to travel to China to study, for business and just for tourism purposes.
In this regard, the states adopted a number of measures to simplify and facilitate mutual contacts and visits between citizens.
Thus, the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan officially began to pursue a policy of simplifying the procedures for the consideration and issuance of a business visa for citizens of Uzbekistan in August 2017. This solution has already proven its effectiveness.
From November 5, 2018, the Chinese embassy began accepting applications from Uzbek citizens for an individual tourist visa to China. Now the citizens of Uzbekistan can apply for obtaining an individual tourist visa in a simplified manner.
To do this, one needs to fill out an online application form, make an online appointment, and contact the consular department of the embassy at the appointed time, along with all the necessary documents. All the detailed information is available on the website of the embassy on the bulletin board.
“At the moment, the parties are still holding consultations in order to conclude new agreements as soon as possible to further simplify the issuance of visas for each other. I am confident that, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, very soon the citizens of China and Uzbekistan will freely visit each other just as close neighbors, exchange views and experience, and also work on developing friendly ties," said Chinese Ambassador.
Uzbekistan occupies 85th place in the list of states whose citizens have the right of visa-free entry. In a visa-free or simplified procedure, Uzbeks have the right to travel around the territory of 54 countries of the world.
Visa facilitation is taking place in Uzbekistan as part of the concept of development of the tourism sector until 2025. As part of this concept, tourism is planned to be transformed into a strategic sector of the economy of Uzbekistan.
The introduction of electronic visas and the simplification of the visa regime has already doubled the number of tourists visiting the country - from 2.6 million people in 2017 to 5.3 million in 2018.
Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and China were established on January 2, 1992. Among the five Central Asian states, Uzbekistan became the first country with which China established diplomatic relations, recognizing its independence.
The trade turnover between the two countries totalled $ 6.43 billion in 2018. Of this amount, $ 2.869 billion is Uzbek exports, as many as $ 3.559 billion is imports.
China received $ 2.1 billion due to an increase in construction in Uzbekistan. With this money, Uzbekistan has acquired special construction equipment from China.
---
Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz