On September 8, Li Qun, vice minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, met with Uzbekistan's Ambassador in China, Mr. Farhod Arziev and his entourage in Beijing.

Li Qun pointed out that, under the great importance attached by the heads of State of the two countries, China and Uzbekistan have achieved fruitful results in recent years in the areas of preservation and restoration of historical monuments, joint archaeology and joint exhibitions. China highly appreciates Uzbekistan's active participation in the Asian Cultural Heritage Protection Initiative, joining the Asian Cultural Heritage Conservation Union as an observer state, welcomes Uzbekistan to become a member of the Union as soon as possible, and looks forward to further cultural heritage exchanges and cooperation with Uzbekistan under the framework of the Union. Li Qun said that China and Uzbekistan are both countries that have lost cultural relics, and suggested that the two sides actively implement the results of the China-Central Asia Summit and promote the negotiation of an intergovernmental agreement on the prevention of theft, piracy, excavation and illegal entry and exit of cultural property, so as to jointly protect the cultural heritage of the two countries.

Mr. Farhod Arziev said that China and Uzbekistan are both countries with a long history and rich cultural heritage, and that Uzbekistan appreciated the practical actions taken by China for the cultural heritage cooperation between the two countries, highly appreciated China's initiative to set up the Asian Cultural Heritage Conservation Union, and would propose to the country to speed up the process of applying for becoming a member of the Union. Uzbekistan agrees with China's proposal to strengthen cooperation in the recovery and return of lost cultural relics, and will actively promote the negotiation of an agreement between the Governments of China and Uzbekistan on the prevention of the theft, excavation and illegal entry and exit of cultural property.

The two sides also exchanged views on the "Belt and Road" cultural relics and archaeology cooperation exhibition, "Uzbekistan Night" and other activities. Responsible comrades of relevant departments and offices of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage attended the meeting.