China and Tajikistan hold first foreign ministers' strategic dialogue in Dushanbe

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Tajik counterpart, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, held their first strategic dialogue in Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe, on Saturday.

Noting China and Tajikistan are close friends and partners linked by mountains and rivers, Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said bilateral relations have continued to reach new heights under the strategic guidance of two heads of state.  

China stands ready to follow the consensus of the two heads of state, view and develop relations from a strategic perspective, carry forward lasting friendship, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and promote new progress in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, Wang said.

Wang briefed Muhriddin on the outcomes of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. He said the scientific formulation and continued implementation of five-year plans is an important governing experience of the CPC and a significant political strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics.  

China is confident in achieving its Second Centenary Goal on schedule, he stressed, adding China's high-quality development and high-level opening up will create new opportunities and broader prospects for Tajikistan and other countries.  

Wang pointed out that launching the strategic dialogue mechanism is timely amid a complex global environment. From his perspective, the mechanism will help enhance communication, strengthen mutual trust, address emerging challenges, safeguard peace and stability, and inject new momentum into building a closer China-Tajikistan community with a shared future.

In this regard, Wang put forward five proposals. He said the two sides should firmly support each other. Mutual support is a defining feature of the partnership, and China will continue to support Tajikistan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and in safeguarding its security, said Wang.

China opposes external interference in Tajikistan's internal affairs and will remain a reliable partner regardless of international changes, Wang said. He thanked Tajikistan for its firm support on issues concerning China's core interests, including the Taiwan question.

China will never allow right-wing forces in Japan to reverse the course of history, never allow external forces to interfere in China's Taiwan region and never allow the resurgence of Japanese militarism, the Chinese foreign minister reiterated.

China will work with all parties to uphold the international consensus on the one-China principle and safeguard the hard-won outcomes of the victory of World War II, Wang added.

He urged joint efforts to advance mutually beneficial cooperation, calling for expanding trade and investment, making full use of existing cooperation platforms, increasing imports of quality Tajik agricultural products and encouraging capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Tajikistan.

The two sides should deepen people-to-people exchanges, Wang said. Both countries should enhance the role of Confucius Institutes, Luban Workshops, traditional Chinese medicine centers and health programs, accelerate efforts to establish cultural centers, and expand local cooperation and sister-city exchanges, he added.

Wang stressed the necessity of strengthening security cooperation. As strategic partners sharing common security interests, China and Tajikistan should jointly address risks, implement cooperation under the Global Security Initiative, conduct bilateral joint patrols, prevent the spread of terrorism and reinforce the security foundation for development, Wang said.

He also called for enhancing multilateral coordination. China supports Tajikistan in playing a greater role at the United Nations and is ready to work with Tajikistan to implement the four major global initiatives, uphold the UN-centered international system and strengthen cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Central Asia mechanism.  

Wang also welcomes Tajikistan's decision to join the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).

Muhriddin said Tajikistan and China are friendly neighbors and sincere partners whose relations are based on mutual understanding, trust and support.  

Muhriddin appreciates China's long-term support for Tajikistan, saying his country is ready to work with China to fully implement the two leaders' consensus, expand high-level exchanges, advance Belt and Road cooperation, deepen collaboration in trade, investment, connectivity and green minerals, and broaden people-to-people exchanges for the benefit of both peoples.

He reaffirmed Tajikistan's firm commitment to the one-China principle and support for China's position on the Taiwan question, as well as China's efforts to safeguard sovereignty, territorial integrity and achieve national reunification.  

The Tajik foreign minister also expressed the country's full support for the Global Governance Initiative and will join China in implementing the four global initiatives. He also confirmed Tajikistan's decision to join the IOMed.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Afghanistan issue. Wang said Afghanistan is a shared neighbor of China and Tajikistan, and China will continue working with Tajikistan to promote peace, stability and reconstruction in the country.

After the talks, the two foreign ministers issued a joint statement.