Yida Jiao is currently a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology at Johns Hopkins University. Prior to pursuing his doctoral studies in the United States, he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Philosophy at Nanjing University, one of China’s leading academic institutions. His doctoral research centers on the intricate dynamics of Chinese agricultural investment in Uzbekistan, with a particular focus on the role of technology cooperation. This research is especially timely given the rapid development of China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI), which has fostered a wave of investment ventures across Central Asia, profoundly influencing various sectors, including agriculture. One of the key aspects of his research is the examination of how Chinese investment in Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector can lead to modernization through the transfer of advanced agricultural technologies. By studying the motivations, strategies, and implementation of these investments, his project sheds light on both the opportunities and challenges associated with this bilateral cooperation. His research also considers the socio-economic impacts of these investments on local communities in Uzbekistan, exploring how such initiatives reshape regional agricultural practices and contribute to sustainability.