From April 1 to 5, 2024, the delegation, which included the Academician George Fu Gao, Director of the Academic Committee of the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMS), researcher of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC), and Cao Jinghua, Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Alliance of the Belt and  Road (ANSO), attended a symposium on biotechnology in the Republic of Uzbekistan, invited by H.E Ibrohim Abdurahmonov, Minister for Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and visited the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Higher Education Science and Innovation, International Agricultural University, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Central Asian Center for Drug Discovery and Development of CAS.

During the visit to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan on April 2, Academician George Fu Gao met with H.E Ibrohim Abdurahmonov, Minister of Agriculture, and both sides reviewed the cooperation between China and Uzbekistan and the Belt and Road international science and technology global governance research. At present, we are gradually coming out of the impact of the new crown epidemic, further deepening international exchanges and cooperation is the general trend, but mankind is still facing many common challenges. The IMS is dedicated to fostering productive collaboration with Uzbekistan, where both nations place significant emphasis on health and biotechnology partnerships. This commitment has led to joint vaccine production initiatives between China and Uzbekistan, expanded cooperation across entire vaccination supply chains as well as drug development efforts, while also supporting local establishment by our partners in Tashkent of a regional research hub for vaccines along with advanced centers focused on bio-technologies. To strengthen mutual understanding and dialogue not only within scientific communities but among civilizations at large between China and Uzbekistan，the international forums alongside academic conferences has been actively organized. These platforms facilitate bilateral exchanges, promote collaborative efforts in global science initiatives thereby enhancing cultural comprehension while building bridges of knowledge sharing across our nations.

During the visit to the International Agricultural University of Uzbekistan, the two sides initiated a series of discussions with the aim of fostering a deeper understanding and collaboration in academic domains. It is hoped that this initiative will contribute to the expansion of academic cooperation in areas such as biology, agriculture, and medicine, as well as to the enhancement of teacher and student exchanges. The objective is to promote cultural exchange, fostering mutual understanding, respect, and trust among peoples worldwide.

On April 3, when the delegation arrived at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Uzbekistan, Academician George Fu Gao and his delegation had the honor of meeting with Deputy Minister Shahrokhon Tuldikulova. During this meeting, Deputy Minister Shahlo Turdikulova kindly provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of scientific research in Uzbekistan, highlighting the region's unique strengths and the historical context that led to the establishment of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. She mentioned that the CAS is considered one of the world's leading scientific research organizations, and with the implementation of China's the Belt and Road initiative, Uzbek students have been presented with the opportunity to pursue their studies at CAS. Academician George Fu Gao expressed our country's readiness to support Uzbekistan in nurturing talents in the fields of medical and healthcare, as well as scientific and technological research and development. We are committed to furthering our bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Uzbekistan in areas such as disease prevention and control, health emergency response, telemedicine, and traditional medicine. Our aim is to collectively contribute to the development of a community dedicated to human health and well-being. He also took part in the Uzbekistan Biotechnology Symposium, where he shared his insights on the topic of "Biomedical Research - Past and Future." In his presentation, he explored avenues for expanding the frontiers of biotechnology science and innovation, and for fostering cooperation between the Central Asian Center for Drug Discovery and Development of CAS. This collaboration holds immense potential in promoting mutual cooperation between Uzbekistan and our nation in the realm of innovation and biotechnology development.

On April 4, during the visit to the Institute of Microbiology of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Academician George Fu Gao met with Dr. Davranov Kakhramon Davranovich, the Institute's Director. They discussed the Institute's research direction, scientific progress, and international scientific and technological cooperation. The research team then presented a comprehensive overview of the Institute's research initiatives, including the diversity of microorganisms, ecological bacteriophages, the degradation of environmental pollutants, and compound synthesis. These initiatives have significant applications in fields such as drug development, agriculture, food industry, and other areas. The meeting also focused on the potential for cooperative research on animal vaccines.

Through forums, visits, talks, and other communication platforms and forms, this visit has contributed to the enhancement of friendly relations between the important partners of China and Uzbekistan. It has also led to an expansion in the exchanges and cooperation in many fields, as well as an increase in mutual exchanges between the IMS and the relevant units of Uzbekistan, contributing to a deeper understanding of each other. The IMS, will continue to adhere to the strategy of opening up scientific research and education to the outside world, to promote high-quality development with high-level opening up, to follow the grand blueprint of the Belt and Road Initiative planned by President Xi Jinping, and to work with the Uzbekistan side to create a new situation of life and health global openness, cooperation and integration, and to open up a new chapter of China-Uzbekistan cooperation.

The delegation met with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Academician George Fu Gao visited the International Agricultural University of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Academician George Fu Gao gave an academic lecture at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The delegation visit to the Institute of Microbiology of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan