On September 22-28, 2023, at the invitation of the Cotton Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CRI), S. Karimov, Deputy Director of the Research Institute of Breeding, Seed Production and Agricultural Technology of Cotton Cultivation of Uzbekistan (hereinafter referred to as the "Uzbekistan Cotton Institute"), visited the Xinjiang and Hainan experimental bases to conduct research and gain a deeper understanding of the scientific research achievements related to cotton planting technology in China. Li Fuguang, Director of Cotton Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ma Xiongfeng, Deputy Director, Wu Jianyong, Deputy Director, and relevant department heads attended the symposium.

At the meeting, Li Fuguang welcomed the visit of Karimov and his delegation, and briefly introduced the basic situation of cotton technology cooperation between CRI and Central Asian cotton planting countries. He said that the Uzbekistan Cotton Institute is an old friend and good partner. He hopes that the two sides will continue to deepen cooperation and carry out comprehensive strategic cooperation in cotton cultivation, breeding, plant protection and other fields through measures such as joint implementation of scientific research projects, strengthening talent exchanges and joint training, and jointly building science and technology demonstration parks and to establish a long-term, effective and win-win working mechanism in order to ensure that all work is implemented.

Karimov expressed his gratitude to CRI for its warm reception, support and help.He said that China's cotton planting technology is advanced and rich in achievements. China and Uzbekistan have close exchanges and have a good foundation for cooperation. The modern scientific research equipment provided by CRI has been put into use in the China-Uzbekistan Cotton Joint Laboratory and is in good operation.We hope to cooperate with China Cotton Institute in biological breeding and southern breeding, leverage our advantages, coordinate relevant resources, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

The two sides reached a consensus that, on the basis of close cooperation in the early stage, they will continue to deepen the implementation of relevant cooperation matters, establish long-term and stable cooperative relations, and jointly promote the 20-hectares Chinese cotton technology demonstration field in Uzbekistan, the south breeding test of Uzbekistan's cotton germplasm resources, the construction of joint laboratory, and the exchange and training of personnel. CRI will give full play to its advantages in germplasm resource exchange, transgenic and hybrid breeding, project declaration, technical training and talent exchange, etc., to provide support to Uzbekistan Cotton Institute, and promote China-Uzbekistan cotton cooperation to a new level.

During the visit, Mei Xurong, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, met with Karimov and his delegation in Xinjiang. Mei Xurong pointed out that the cooperation between the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Uzbekistan in the field of agricultural science and technology has a long history and fruitful results. He hopes that both sides can deepen cooperation in areas such as characteristic forests and fruits, water-saving irrigation, saline alkali land management, and joint training of young talents, and implement the results of the first China-Central Asia Summit to start a new chapter on the Silk Road.