China, Tajikistan support forming inclusive government in Afghanistan: joint statement

China and Tajikistan on Friday expressed their support in a joint statement for the establishment of an inclusive government with the participation of representatives of all ethnic, religious and political groups in Afghanistan.

According to the statement, the two sides reaffirmed that an independent, neutral, united, inclusive and peaceful Afghanistan, which is free from terrorism, war and drugs, and lives in peace and harmony with all of its neighbors, is in the common interests of the Afghan people and all countries in the region.

The statement was issued during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Tajikistan after attending a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana and paying a state visit to Kazakhstan.

Mutual trust

According to the statement, both sides vow to continue to consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promptly and effectively respond to challenges and threats to regional security and sustainable development.

China and Tajikistan are willing to continue to uphold mutual support on issues involving each other's core interests such as national sovereignty, security, borders and territorial integrity, said the statement.

Both sides oppose the politicization of human rights issues, the application of double standards, and the use of human rights issues as a tool to interfere in the affairs of other countries, it said.

Expanded cooperation

Pledging to take measures to further expand the scale of trade, optimize the trade structure, and deepen cooperation in fields such as e-commerce, digital economy and sustainable development, the two sides will maintain the stability and security of industrial and supply chains, and explore new opportunities for trade and innovation cooperation, said the statement.

Both sides agree to encourage investment in the implementation of high-tech projects in the industrial field, and the production of competitive products with high-added value, it said.

The two countries also reiterated that they will closely cooperate in areas including green finance, green technology, smart agriculture, water-saving technology, prevention of desertification and soil degradation.

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening regional transportation infrastructure connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative, both sides will continue to deepen cooperation on China-Europe (Asia) freight trains, said the statement.

Exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations

Noting that people-to-people and cultural exchanges are of great significance to further enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples, the two sides expressed their willingness to expand cooperation between friendly provinces, states and cities.

China welcomes Tajikistan to join in the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia, it said, adding that both sides will carry out pragmatic cooperation in the research of ancient civilizations, restoration of historic sites and other areas under the framework of the alliance.

(With input from Xinhua)