DUSHANBE (TCA) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 31 in Beijing held talks with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, who is paying a state visit to China from August 30 to September 1. The leaders agreed to establish comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
Applauding Tajikistan’s support for the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi said both sides should synergize the Belt and Road Initiative with Tajikistan’s national development strategy for the period until 2030, Xinhua reported.
The two countries should cooperate more in transportation, energy, ports and network infrastructure development to improve all-round connectivity, Xi said.
The Chinese president suggested both sides break new ground in agriculture, industrial capacity cooperation and scientific innovation.
Xi encouraged Tajikistan to establish links with Chinese financial institutions, the Silk Road Fund and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, saying China is willing to work with Tajikistan to facilitate trade and investment.
As countries with great ancient civilization, China and Tajikistan can have more exchanges in culture, education and youth, according to Xi.
Rahmon described China as a “good neighbor, partner and brother” and praised the close cooperation in politics, culture, trade and investment.
Tajikistan backs the Silk Road Economic Belt and will work with China to expand partnership in finance, agriculture, water resources, energy and mining, Rahmon said.
He said Tajikistan looks forward to more coordination with China in regional and international affairs and more cooperation in law enforcement and security.
After the talks, the two heads of state signed a joint statement on establishing comprehensive strategic partnership.
China and Tajikistan agreed to jointly launch cross-border railway, road and natural gas pipeline projects, and explore cooperation in wind and solar energy, according to the joint statement.
Both sides will better share intelligence to fight the “evil forces” of terrorism, extremism and separatism, as well as cyber crime, drug smuggling and transnational organized crime, the joint statement said.
The two presidents also witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation documents, including a bilateral cooperation plan, and agreements on science, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, human resources and media.
