Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Chairman of the National Assembly of Tajikistan Rustam Emomali and Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, vowing to seek closer cooperation in various areas between the two countries.
A historic high
China-Tajikistan relations have achieved continuous development and have reached a historic high, Wang said during his meeting with the Tajik president.
The two sides have always stood together and firmly supported each other on issues regarding their core interests and major concerns, he said, adding that China appreciates Tajikistan’s consistent policy of prioritizing developing relations with China and supporting China’s initiatives.
China, likewise, is also a reliable partner Tajikistan can trust and count on, and is willing to work with Tajikistan to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, summarize the successful experience of 30 years of diplomatic relations, and set new goals for the development of their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Wang noted that China-Tajikistan economic and trade ties have grown notably stronger despite an unfavorable environment, fully demonstrating their resilience and potential.
Believing that security cooperation reflects the high level of strategic mutual trust between the two countries, the two sides will continue to jointly meet traditional and non-traditional security challenges, guard against all risks and hidden dangers and maintain regional peace and stability.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Tajikistan have always respected, trusted and supported each other, while Tajikistan has always supported major initiatives raised by China at the earliest date, President Rahmon noted. He expressed the hope that the two sides, by taking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Tajikistan-China diplomatic relations this year as an opportunity, will carry forward their fine tradition of good-neighborliness and friendship, and continuously strengthen strategic communication so as to lift their comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.
Pioneers of BRI
construction
During his meeting with Emomali, Wang noted China and Tajikistan are pioneers in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and the practical cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results.
The landmark buildings built with Chinese assistance can be seen everywhere in Tajikistan, and the friendship between the two countries is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, he added.
China is willing to deepen bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, green energy, transportation and logistics, information and communication, digital economy and other fields to help Tajikistan accelerate its industrialization process and independent development, Wang said, adding that more Chinese enterprises will be encouraged to participate in new energy and solar energy cooperation with the Tajik side to jointly build a green Silk Road.
Wang said it is necessary to deepen the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Tajikistan, and consolidate the public opinion foundation of friendship between the two countries. Efforts should be put into building the Luban Workshop in Tajikistan to help the country train more professional and technical personnel.
He also said that China will, as always, support Tajikistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, support the country in taking a successful development path that suits its own national conditions and oppose any external interference in Tajikistan’s internal affairs,
Emomali said that Tajikistan has always prioritized relations with China in its diplomacy, and took the lead in supporting the important Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. It is expected that the legislative bodies of the two countries will conduct close exchanges and mutual visits to continuously enrich the connotation of the Tajikistan-China comprehensive strategic partnership.
The Tajik side hopes to further enhance bilateral trade, expand the export of agricultural products to China, introduce advanced Chinese technology, and welcome more Chinese enterprises to invest in Tajikistan, Emomali said, adding that he appreciates the Chinese side for helping Tajikistan train excellent people for many years, and he hopes there will be more direct flights between the two countries to facilitate personnel exchanges.
China to provide
more vaccine assistance
China will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccine assistance to Tajikistan and build a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future, Wang told his Tajik counterpart.
China firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Tajikistan, as well as the country’s efforts to follow a path of development in line with its own national conditions, Wang said. China expects to build long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, Wang added.
The trade volume between the two sides grew amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is expected to reach a record high this year, Wang said, adding both sides should implement the signed economic cooperation plan and expand cooperation in emerging fields such as digital economy, new energy and high technology. – CGTN
