In early August 2026, a cross-border train from Urumqi International Land Port completed the unloading operation of the last batch of imported cherries from Uzbekistan. As the doors of the cold chain carriages slowly closed, the latest bilateral economic and trade statistics were updated synchronously.

From January to July 2026, the trade volume between China and Uzbekistan has exceeded 9.2 billion US dollars, with a year-on-year growth of 36.2%, exceeding the trade scale of the whole year of 2024. From the wheel track of cross-border trains to the production line of Chinese funded factories, the heat of China Uzbekistan practical cooperation is rising along the path of jointly building the the Belt and Road.

Trade scale achieves leapfrog growth

By 2025, the bilateral trade volume between China and Uzbekistan will reach 16.1 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 17.9%. According to Uzbekistan's statistics, China has become Uzbekistan's largest trading partner, accounting for 21.2% of its total foreign trade, surpassing Russia's 16%. In the past five years, the bilateral trade volume between China and Ukraine has doubled directly, and the cooperation foundation has continued to solidify.

The growth momentum will further accelerate in the first quarter of 2026, with bilateral trade reaching 4.109 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 35.5%. Uzbekistan's export growth rate to China has reached 83.3%, and Uzbekistan's characteristic agricultural products, mineral resources, and other advantageous commodities are accelerating their entry into the Chinese market. The balance of import and export structure continues to improve. From January to July 2026, the customs clearance efficiency of Uzbekistan's exports of specialty commodities such as dried and fresh fruits, cotton yarn, etc. to China increased by 47% year-on-year, and the smooth cross-border logistics channels directly supported the explosive growth of exports.

The heat of industrial cooperation continues to rise

Currently, there are over 5600 Chinese funded enterprises operating in Uzbekistan, with 720 new registered Chinese funded enterprises expected to be added from January to July 2026. The annual number of new enterprises is expected to exceed 1200, and the total scale of joint projects reserved by both parties exceeds 60 billion US dollars.

China's investment in Ukraine will exceed 10 billion US dollars in 2024 alone, and the cumulative investment scale from 2017 to July 2026 has exceeded 28 billion US dollars. Leading enterprises such as BYD, Huawei, ZTE, and China National Heavy Duty Truck Group have completed their industrial layout in Ukraine. In the first half of 2026, the industrial output value of Chinese enterprises in Ukraine increased by 41% year-on-year.

On June 1, 2025, the visa free policy between China and Ukraine officially came into effect. Citizens of both countries can stay visa free for 30 days. Currently, round-trip flights between the two countries have been increased to 100 flights per week. From January to July 2026, the number of two-way personnel exchanges increased by 127% year-on-year, greatly improving the convenience of personnel exchanges. There are 89 free economic zones and nearly 700 industrial parks in Uzbekistan, with supporting tax incentives and mature infrastructure. In the first half of 2026, the output value of Chinese enterprises in the parks increased by 53% year-on-year, providing sufficient support for the landing of Chinese enterprises. Keywords: China Ukraine trade, connectivity

From a trade volume of billions of dollars five years ago to approaching the billion dollar mark in the first seven months of 2026, every step of growth in China Ukraine economic and trade cooperation is a direct reflection of the continuous release of the dividends of connectivity. More than 5600 Chinese enterprises have rooted in the local market and added multiple blessings from policies, channels and parks. The goal of China Uzbekistan bilateral trade to reach 20 billion dollars is close at hand. The practical cooperation between the two countries to jointly build the the Belt and Road is accelerating along the opening channels of Central Asia.Editor/Cheng Liting