In fraternal relations, cooperation through public diplomacy and cultural exchange tools helps to build mutual understanding and trust

3.2. Twin cities - as the main actors of public diplomacy of Uzbekistan
In the process of accelerating globalization and transformation of the world order, the number and role of actors in international relations is increasing, among various "non-traditional" subjects, sister cities are becoming participants in "paradiplomacy", that is, international cooperation at the subregional level.
Today, world countries have accumulated rich experience in establishing and developing fraternal relations, and their study and implementation in the conditions of Uzbekistan can serve to strengthen the fraternal relations of Uzbek cities.
In fraternal relations, cooperation through public diplomacy and cultural exchange tools helps to build mutual understanding and trust. This, in turn, leads to the creation and strengthening of trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian ties.
The idea of sister cities, which is one of the important branches of public diplomacy in the system of international relations, was one of the first to be put forward by US President Dwight Eisenhower in the 50s of the 20th century.
D. Eisenhower did a lot of effective work in building "bridges of friendship" between American society and other foreign countries during World War II. Also, the US government approved the initiative of the President and introduced several positions responsible for the development of international relations in many municipalities. As a result, municipal governments and local communities - ordinary Americans - began to actively participate in various international projects. These actions served to establish mutual fraternal ties in a friendly spirit.
Sister regions (provinces, cities, districts) are of great importance in social-economic, cultural-humanitarian and trade-investment cooperation relations between Uzbekistan and world countries. In addition, fraternal relations lead to the activation of mutual practical actions of the representatives of the country's population, the expansion of cultural relations, and an increase in awareness of the achievements of modern innovative techniques and technologies. Fraternal ties are important in the development of public diplomacy, serving to ensure friendship, tolerance and inter-ethnic harmony among peoples. Therefore, studying twinning relations of cities in our country is one of the urgent issues. In addition, the study of fraternal relations of cities and regions of Uzbekistan is fully consistent with the goals and objectives of the Action Strategy on the five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021.
First of all, the action strategy expresses the noble goal of establishing friendly relations with foreign countries and their communities. Secondly, in this programmatic document, ensuring security, interethnic harmony and religious tolerance, conducting foreign policy in a deeply thought-out, mutually beneficial and practical spirit is defined as a priority direction. Within the framework of this state program, the Committee on International Relations and Friendly Relations with Foreign Countries under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan "Strengthening cooperation between cities and regions of Uzbekistan and foreign countries ("fraternal relations"), "New cooperation between cities and regions of foreign countries ("fraternal relations "Establishing relations" has been helping the regions and cities of Uzbekistan.
The research conducted on the study of twinned regions in Uzbekistan shows that the cities and regions of Uzbekistan have established fraternal ties with 71 regions of foreign countries. (Appendix 8) When the existing fraternal regions were analyzed in the section of republican regions, it was found that Samarkand region (17), Tashkent city (14), Bukhara region (13) and Fergana region (7) are the regions with the largest number of fraternal ties.Surkhandarya region (3), Tashkent region (3), Namangan region (3), Khorezm region (3), Navoi region (2), Syrdarya region (2), Andijan are the regions with the least fraternal ties. region (1), Jizzakh region (1), Kashkadarya region (1) and the Republic of Karakalpakstan (1).
Sister cities also have a special place in the public diplomacy relations of Uzbekistan with China, South Korea and Japan. To date, there are about 30 cities and regions of Uzbekistan with the provinces of Hunan, Zhejiang, Shaanxi of the People's Republic of China, Shanghai, Yangzhou, Xi'an, Loyan, Seoul, Naju, Yongin, Inchon, Songnam in South Korea, Nagoya, Nara, Maizuru in Japan. and established fraternal ties with the cities of Tomioka.
The results of the analysis show that China, South Korea and Japan are leading countries in Uzbekistan's fraternal relations. However, taking full account of the possibilities of fraternal relations with these three countries, it becomes clear that fraternal cooperation relations are not enough. The issue here is the judicious use of established fraternal ties. It cannot be said that the cities and regions of Uzbekistan are still effectively using the available opportunities in this regard. However, established partnerships may bear fruit in the future.
The proposal to establish cooperative relations between Bukhara and the ancient Chinese city of Loyan was made by the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping during his visit to Uzbekistan in 2016. In 2017, during the state visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoyev to the People's Republic of China, a memorandum was signed between Bukhara and Loyan on the establishment of partnership and brotherly relations. Located in the western Henan province of China, Luoyang has a population of over 1 million as of 2010 (the population of the city district is about 7 million). Industry has developed in the city, but its main advantage is its historical monuments that attract tourists from all over the world. This city is rich in ancient monuments, modern universities and museums. The historical center of Bukhara was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993. In 2000, Lunmen Buddhist Cave Temples ("Rock Caves in front of the Dragon Gates") was included in this list in 2000. Cooperation between these two ancient cities is carried out in the fields of agriculture, land reclamation, greenhouses, handicrafts, sericulture, alternative energy, waste processing industry, and tourism. The leadership of Bukhara city and the community consisting of businessmen visited Loyan several times and held meetings with the city's industry leaders.
Also, a meeting was organized between the Chinese delegation and the representatives of major tourist agencies and partner organizations of the province at Bukhara State University in order to further strengthen cooperation and establish a mutually beneficial partnership with the Tourism Development Corporation of China's Loyan Province.
In 2018, Syrdarya region established fraternal relations with Zhejiang province and Aihai city of the People's Republic of China. 15 agreements worth 205 million US dollars have been signed between the two regions, and cooperation is underway to establish mutual cooperation in agriculture, light industry and other areas. As a result of cooperation relations, "Peng Sheng" industrial complex, "Agro Eco Technology" limited liability company are operating in the territory of "Syrdarya" free economic zone. Peng Sheng, a multi-industry company opened to Chinese investment in the "Jizzakh" free economic zone, has a total value of 40 million in Uzbekistan. plans to implement 7 dollar projects. The projects of this Uzbek-Chinese joint venture are aimed at the production of shoes and leather goods, fittings and accessories, locks, mobile phones and other products.By establishing friendly relations with foreign cities, the Chinese government seeks to expand business opportunities. The "Silk Road Cities Alliance" established by the China Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce and the All-China Friendship Association in 2017 is a new dialogue space for cooperation and development between cities of countries and regions. The Union includes 43 cities and regions of foreign countries and 6 Chinese cities along the Great Silk Road. Today, "Alliance of Silk Road Cities" includes Tashkent, Samarkand, Kashkadarya, Bukhara regions and Tashkent city of Uzbekistan.
"Silk Road Cities Alliance" provides a pragmatic platform aimed at strengthening cultural exchange and trade cooperation among member cities within the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative, allowing member cities to share their experience in city management to take advantage of existing opportunities and solve problems in the development of member cities. .