Recent social media claims alleging that “China is taking over Uzbekistan” and that “most of the country’s land has been sold to the Chinese” have sparked widespread debate. In response, Ilzat Qosimov, Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, issued a statement via the ministry’s official Facebook page, firmly rejecting these allegations.
Economic Cooperation, Not Land Sales
“Attracting foreign investment is a crucial factor for Uzbekistan’s sustainable economic growth. Global competition for capital is intensifying, and our country remains committed to maintaining an open and equal investment environment,” Qosimov stated.
He emphasized that while China is one of Uzbekistan’s largest investors, all foreign investors operate under the same legal framework. Uzbekistan maintains investment partnerships with numerous countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Russia, France, Germany, South Korea, and Japan.
According to official figures, Chinese investment in Uzbekistan is primarily concentrated in industry (62%), the fuel and energy sector (11%), and agriculture (4%). The majority of investments are in manufacturing, not agriculture or land acquisition.
One notable example is the textile industry, where Uzbekistan has over 7,600 textile enterprises, but only 57 involve Chinese capital. Additionally, Uzbekistan exports textile products to China through multiple trading houses.
Legal Restrictions on Foreign Land Ownership
Despite persistent rumors, only 4% of Chinese investment in Uzbekistan goes into agriculture. Foreign investors cannot purchase land, it can only be leased for a maximum of 25 years through open auctions.
For example, the Lihua Group, a Chinese company engaged in cotton cultivation and seed production in the Kashkadarya and Tashkent regions, operates on non-irrigated, low-yield lands, applying modern technologies to boost productivity.
Chinese investments have also played a role in Uzbekistan’s industrial and technological advancement. The BYD automobile plant in Jizzakh, a key project, has created 1,500 jobs, with most positions held by Uzbeks. In 2024, an additional 200 Uzbek specialists are set to receive training at BYD facilities in China.
Meanwhile, over 20 energy projects worth $9 billion are being implemented with Chinese involvement, with the majority of workers being Uzbek specialists.
Government Rebuttal and Legal Framework
On March 6, 2024, Uzbekistan’s Cadastral Agency issued an official statement dismissing rumors of land sales. According to Article 17 of the Land Code, foreign individuals and entities can only lease land, not own it. Additionally, the Law on the Privatization of Non-Agricultural Land Plots explicitly prohibits foreign citizens and businesses from participating in privatization.
The agency further clarified that even Uzbek citizens cannot privatize agricultural land, and it categorically rejected the claims of land sales to foreigners as false.
Authorities have urged the public to rely on verified information and to refrain from spreading misleading reports.
