Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Tajikistan to enhance post-pandemic cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, energy and agriculture, in a phone conversation with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon. 

Speaking of the two countries' cooperation in fighting COVID-19, Xi said "a friend in need is a friend indeed." 

"At China's difficult time in epidemic prevention and control, the Tajikistan government and society have offered help and support in different forms. After the virus broke out in Tajikistan, China also provided assistance to Tajikistan and the medical experts of the two countries exchanged anti-epidemic experience via video," Xi elaborated. 

The relationship between China and Tajikistan stands at a new historical starting point. Both sides should coordinate the epidemic control and trade exchanges, develop ideas, and ensure the implementation of the joint construction of Belt and Road key projects, Xi noted. 

As for cooperation in post-pandemic era, Xi said the two countries should enhance cooperation in key areas such as economy, trade, investment, energy, interconnection, and agriculture as soon as possible to promote the new development of bilateral relations. 

Rahmon spoke highly of China's achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control and thanked China's help in its fight against the coronavirus and economic recovery. 

He said Tajikistan is willing to advance the in-depth alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Tajikistan's national development strategy for the period up to 2030, expand cooperation in economy, trade, medical care, science and technology, and deepen cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. 

He said Tajikistan firmly abides by the one-China policy and firmly supports China's measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security, adding that Tajikistan is willing to join hands with China to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.