Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Sunday met with Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, with both sides reaffirming commitments to strengthen ties.

Yang, also the director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said two countries are "good neighbors, friends, partners and brothers" and last year Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Rahmon agreed on a new blueprint for boosting bilateral ties – to build the China-Tajikistan development community and security community.

China is ready to work with Tajikistan to implement the consensus reached between the two heads of state, unswervingly support each other, deepen practical cooperation, safeguard common security and strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, Yang said.

Yang also highlighted some achievements in the Belt and Road Initiative, saying both sides should further push for projects under the framework.

The Chinese official also briefed the Tajik president on China's efforts to contain the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19.

He said China's making all-out efforts in the fight against the epidemic under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, as well as on the anti-virus measures adopted in tandem with those aimed at promoting economic and social development.

China thanks Tajikistan for sending medical equipment to assist its anti-virus efforts, Yang said, adding that China will continue strengthen international cooperation with international society in safeguarding global public health security.

For his part, Rahmon spoke highly of China's anti-virus fight. The Chinese people will definitely defeat the virus under President Xi's leadership, he said.

Rahmon said Tajikistan considers it as a foreign policy priority to develop relations with China, which is a close neighbor and reliable strategic partner of Tajikistan.

Tajikistan is willing to well implement the key Belt and Road cooperation projects, deepen security cooperation between the two countries and people-to-people exchanges, so as to inject new impetus into the development of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

(Cover: China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi talks to Minister of the Presidency of the Dominican Republic Gustavo Montalvo (not pictured) at Zhongnanhai in Beijing, September 17, 2019. /Reuters)