On January 16, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov at the latter's request.

Wang Yi stated that the strategic guidance of the two heads of state provides the most crucial political guarantee for the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era. Noting that last year marked another fruitful year in China-Uzbekistan relations, Wang Yi said that cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, culture and sub-national exchanges has seen comprehensive expansion and sustained growth.

Wang Yi noted that since the beginning of 2026, the international situation has become increasingly turbulent, with the shadow of war looming and unilateral bullying running rampant. China and Uzbekistan should enhance strategic coordination and deepen strategic cooperation. The two sides should unwaveringly focus on managing their own affairs well, support each other in safeguarding core interests, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields. At the same time, the two countries should work closely together on international and regional issues, resist the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak, uphold the basic norms governing international relations, defend the leading role of the United Nations, safeguard international fairness and justice, and maintain regional peace and stability. Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Uzbekistan, Wang Yi said that the two sides should jointly design and develop bilateral relations in the next decade.

Bakhtiyor Saidov said that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's successful visit to China in September last year injected strong momentum into bilateral relations. Developing relations with China is a priority in Uzbekistan's foreign policy. The two countries enjoy a high degree of mutual trust, and the development of bilateral relations is not distracted by any single event. Uzbekistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and opposes any actions that undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Uzbekistan looks forward to working with China to jointly implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, further strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in various fields, and advance the Uzbekistan-China all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era to greater depths. Uzbekistan is willing to continue strengthening multilateral communication and cooperation with China, defend multilateralism, and uphold international law and the basic norms governing international relations.