China has promised isolated Uzbekistan $2.7 billion for a series of joint projects, the ex-Soviet state said Thursday, as Beijing flexes its economic muscle in Central Asia. A statement on the website of the republic's foreign ministry quoted President Islam Karimov as saying China had pledged loans worth $2.7 billion (2.4 billion euros) while projects worth a further $6.2 billion were "under consideration".
Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Tashkent last week for a summit of the regional Shanghai Cooperation Organisation security body. During Xi's visit, the two leaders also attended the inauguration of a 19.2 kilometre(12 mile) railway tunnel link costing $455 million that was financed and built by China. In addition to infrastructure, Chinese companies are very active in Uzbekistan's gas and chemical sectors.