Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Upon opening the homepage of Uzum, Uzbekistan's largest e-commerce platform, one can see a wide selection of Chinese-made goods. This clearly demonstrates the close trade and economic ties between China and the countries of Central Asia, particularly with Uzbekistan, the region's most populous country.
Trade between China and the Central Asian countries has reached a new record. In 2025, the combined value of imports and exports exceeded USD 100 billion for the first time in history, demonstrating steady growth for five consecutive years. China has become the largest trading partner of all Central Asian countries, and their share of China's foreign trade continues to steadily increase.
In addition to traditional retail channels, local and cross-border e-commerce platforms are making a significant contribution to trade development. In an interview with the Chinese publication Yicai, Uzum founder and CEO Djasur Djumaev noted that the Uzum platform offers Chinese goods in virtually every category, from electronics and household appliances to building materials. He added that Uzbek consumers highly value Chinese brands for their excellent price-quality ratio, and demand for Chinese products continues to grow steadily.
According to him, Uzbekistan represents a young and rapidly growing market for Chinese companies, with a rapidly developing digital economy. Currently, the Uzum platform has over 17 million monthly active users, representing almost half of the country's adult population, effectively making it "Uzbek Taobao."
Uzbekistan is on the cusp of rapidly developing digital consumption infrastructure. The country has the largest population among the five Central Asian states, boasting a high youth population, growing smartphone penetration, a developing urban middle class, and a clear need to modernize consumption patterns.
"Our platform features both major Chinese brands and small and medium-sized sellers," Dzhumaev noted. He added that many Chinese companies are considering e-commerce as a testing tool for entering the Uzbek market, assessing demand and positioning their products. Currently, Uzum is focused on developing cross-border trade, enabling Chinese sellers to directly list their products on the platform and ship from China.
According to Xinhua News Agency, cross-border e-commerce between China and Central Asian countries is experiencing rapid growth. Warehousing and logistics capacity continues to develop, and cooperation in cross-border payments is expanding. The China-Central Asia Cooperation Platform for Seamless Trade officially launched in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, and the Silk Road E-Commerce project has proven an effective tool for facilitating trade between the regions.
The platform's name, "Uzum," means "grape" in Uzbek. Founded in 2022, it has achieved significant success in just three years, becoming Uzbekistan's first unicorn. This achievement is backed not only by Chinese goods but also by Chinese technology, expertise, and capital.
Uzum quickly transformed from a "sales platform" into a full-fledged "service ecosystem," developing a profitable model based on stimulating financial services through high-frequency consumption scenarios. Its services include express delivery, banking services, and apps for small and medium businesses. As a result, Uzum has become virtually synonymous with e-commerce in Uzbekistan.
For many years, China has remained the largest trading partner of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. In 2025, it also took this position for Tajikistan for the first time, becoming the leading trading partner of all Central Asian countries.
According to Chinese customs data, China's exports to Central Asian countries will reach $71.2 billion in 2025, an 11% increase compared to the previous year. In addition to consumer goods, exports of mechanical and electronic equipment, as well as high-tech products, have grown significantly. At the same time, the market share of the "new trinity"—new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products—is gradually expanding.
In 2025, China's imports from Central Asian countries amounted to USD 35.1 billion, an increase of 14% compared to the previous year. These imports primarily consist of energy, minerals, and other raw materials, while the range of non-resource products, such as chemicals, steel, and agricultural products, is expanding, highlighting the complementarity of trade between the regions.
In 2025, Kazakhstan successfully hosted the second China-Central Asia Summit, where the six countries identified six priority areas for cooperation: unimpeded trade, industrial investment, transport and digital connectivity, green mineral resources, and other key areas of interaction.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.