Voters visit a polling station during a presidential election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 24, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer 

A voter casts a ballot at a polling station during a presidential election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 24, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer 

A voter wearing a protective face mask casts a ballot at a polling station during a presidential election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 24, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer 

A voter walks near a board displaying information about candidates, including Uzbek incumbent President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at a polling station during a presidential election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 24, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer 

Voters stand in a line as they visit a polling station during a presidential election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 24, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer 

A voter casts a ballot at a polling station during a presidential election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 24, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer 

Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon shakes hands with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan September 17, 2021. REUTERS/Didor Sadulloev 

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev speaks with participants during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan September 17, 2021. REUTERS/Didor Sadulloev 

An Uzbek service member drives an armoured vehicle during joint military drills involving Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, at the Harb-Maidon training ground, located near the Tajik-Afghan border in the Khatlon Region of Tajikistan August 10, 2021. REUTERS/Didor Sadulloev 

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Taekwondo - Men's Featherweight 58-68kg - Medal Ceremony - Makuhari Messe Hall A, Chiba, Japan - July 25, 2021. Ulugbek Rashitov of Uzbekistan celebrates after winning gold with the Uzbek national anthem REUTERS/Murad Sezer 

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Taekwondo - Men's Featherweight 58-68kg - Medal Ceremony - Makuhari Messe Hall A, Chiba, Japan - July 25, 2021. Ulugbek Rashitov of Uzbekistan celebrates after winning gold with the Uzbek national anthem REUTERS/Murad Sezer 

Uzbek service members drive armoured vehicles during a flower festival in the city of Namangan, Uzbekistan May 23, 2021. More than hundred vehicles, including military, covered with flowers crossed the city streets to mark opening of the week-long traditional flower festival. Picture May 23, 2021. REUTERS/Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov 

An Uzbek service member drives an armoured vehicle during a flower festival in the city of Namangan, Uzbekistan May 23, 2021. More than hundred vehicles, including military, covered with flowers crossed the city streets to mark opening of the week-long traditional flower festival. Picture May 23, 2021. REUTERS/Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attend the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, was scheduled for May 9 but postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Host photo agency/Sergey Guneev via REUTERS 

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrives at the Kremlin before the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, was scheduled for May 9 but postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Host photo agency/Maksim Blinov via REUTERS 

Moldovan President Igor Dodon, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon walk after the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, was scheduled for May 9 but postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov 

Moldovan President Igor Dodon, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon walk after the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, was scheduled for May 9 but postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov 

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moldovan President Igor Dodon, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev take part in a flower-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, was scheduled for May 9 but postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Host photo agency/Alexey Filippov via REUTERS 

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon take part in a flower-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, was scheduled for May 9 but postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Host photo agency/Grigory Sysoev via REUTERS 

Uzbek law enforcement officers check drivers' documents at a checkpoint as they enforce government restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov 

Uzbek law enforcement officers check drivers' documents at a checkpoint as they enforce government restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov 

Uzbek law enforcement officers check drivers' documents at a checkpoint as they enforce government restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov 

People gather near an Ilyushin IL-76 military cargo plane of the Uzbek Air Force, which transports protective equipment to China hit by the new coronavirus, before the departure from an airport of Tashkent, Uzbekistan February 12, 2020. REUTERS/Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Crew members line up in front of an Ilyushin IL-76 military cargo plane of the Uzbek Air Force, which transports protective equipment to China, before the departure from an airport of Tashkent, Uzbekistan February 12, 2020. REUTERS/Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/POOL 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is escorted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to their meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/POOL 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo poses with Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Chingiz Aidarbekov, Uzbek Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov during a meeting of the C5+1 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/POOL 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listens to Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov speak during a C5+1ministerial meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/POOL 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo talks with Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi and Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov during a meeting of the C5+1 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/POOL 

Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 27 August 2019. How Hwee Young/Pool via REUTERS 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks during a meeting with Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 27 August 2019. How Hwee Young/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov speaks during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 27 August 2019. How Hwee Young/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 27 August 2019. How Hwee Young/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 27 August 2019. How Hwee Young/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov (back L) and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (back R) attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 27 August 2019. How Hwee Young/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov gives a speech during the opening ceremony of the new embassy of Uzbekistan in Beijing, China, August 19, 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the opening ceremony of the new embassy of Uzbekistan in Beijing, China, August 19, 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the opening ceremony of the new embassy of Uzbekistan in Beijing, China, August 19, 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the opening ceremony of the new embassy of Uzbekistan in Beijing, China, August 19, 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the opening ceremony of the new embassy of Uzbekistan in Beijing, China, August 19, 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attend the opening ceremony of the new embassy of Uzbekistan in Beijing, China, August 19, 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi clap as they attend the opening ceremony of the new embassy of Uzbekistan in Beijing, China, August 19, 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi celebrate as they attend the opening ceremony of the new embassy of Uzbekistan in Beijing, China, August 19, 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov attends a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, China, 19 August 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov is welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, China, 19 August 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov attends a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, China, 19 August 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov is welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, China, 19 August 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov looks on during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, China, 19 August 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a meeting with Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov in Beijing, China, 19 August 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov is welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, China, 19 August 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov is welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, China, 19 August 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a meeting with Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov in Beijing, China, 19 August 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a meeting with Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov in Beijing, China, 19 August 2019. Wu Hong/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrives for the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China on April 25, 2019. Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend the meeting at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, April 25, 2019. Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) during the meeting at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, April 25, 2019. Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the meeting at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, April 25, 2019. Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reaches out to shake hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the meeting at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, April 25, 2019. Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool via REUTERS 

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the meeting at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, April 25, 2019. Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool via REUTERS