In order to actively serve the national "Belt and Road" initiative and deepen cooperation with Central Asian countries in the fields of meteorological science and environmental research, a delegation from the College of Atmospheric Sciences at Lanzhou University, led by Professor Huang Zhongwei, Dean of the College, conducted a four-day academic visit and exchange with relevant research institutions in Uzbekistan from January 13 to 16, 2026. The core objective of the visit was to promote the joint application for a "Belt and Road" Joint Laboratory, and to leverage this opportunity to expand practical cooperation in international research projects, joint talent cultivation, and the construction of field meteorological observation stations.
On the morning of January 14, Dean Huang Zhongwei and his delegation held a working meeting with Professor Mansur and his team from Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers in Uzbekistan. The two sides engaged in in-depth and constructive discussions on key issues such as jointly applying for major international research cooperation projects, jointly cultivating high-level graduate students, and planning the construction of joint meteorological observation stations. Multiple consensus points were reached regarding the next steps for specific cooperation pathways.
Group photo of the delegation with Professor Mansur
In the afternoon of the same day, accompanied by Professor Mansur, the delegation visited the Hydrometeorological Research Institute of Uzbekistan, a key national institution. The delegation met with Professor Bakhriddin Nishonov, Director of the Institute, and gained detailed insights into Uzbekistan's research progress and operational systems in hydrological monitoring, climate forecasting, and meteorological services. The two sides explored possibilities for cooperation in data sharing, technical training, and extreme weather early warning, laying the foundation for establishing a long-term cooperation mechanism in the future.
On January 15, the delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan to report and exchange views on Sino-Uzbek educational and scientific research cooperation, as well as talent exchanges. They received active guidance and support from the Embassy. This initiative not only promoted cultural exchange but also opened potential channels for Lanzhou University to expand multidisciplinary cooperation, including atmospheric sciences, with educational institutions in Uzbekistan, and gained official support and facilitation from the Embassy.
Photo of the delegation meeting with the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan
This visit was personally planned and led by Dean Huang Zhongwei, fully demonstrating the high importance that the College of Atmospheric Sciences at Lanzhou University attaches to research cooperation in the Central Asian region. Through face-to-face exchanges, the delegation successfully consolidated key partnerships with their Uzbek counterparts, clarified cooperation directions, and took solid steps towards jointly addressing regional climate change, enhancing meteorological forecasting and service capabilities, and advancing the construction of a "Green Silk Road". Both sides agreed to continue promoting the implementation of all cooperation intentions and look forward to fruitful research outcomes in the future.
