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Uzbekistan
China
China also has sought to develop relations with Central Asia.
This was highlighted in May 1994, by the visit of the Chinese
premier, Li Peng, to Tashkent. Since 1991 China has become the
second largest trading partner in Central Asia after Russia. During
Li Peng's visit, Uzbekistan and China signed four agreements designed
to increase trade, including the granting of a Chinese loan to
Uzbekistan, the establishment of air freight transport between
the two countries, and the Chinese purchase of Uzbekistani cotton
and metals. The two countries also agreed to settle all territorial
disputes through negotiation, and they found common territory
in their desire to reform their economies without relinquishing
strict political control. At the same time, however, policy makers
in Uzbekistan also view China as one of Uzbekistan's chief potential
threats, requiring the same kind of balanced approach as that
adopted toward Russia. Indeed, despite the large volume of trade
between China and Central Asia, China is lowest on the list of
desired trading partners and international donors among Uzbekistan's
population. In a 1993 survey, only about 3 percent of respondents
believed that China is a desirable source of foreign financial
assistance.
Data as of March 1996
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