Tajik president meets Chinese foreign minister, discusses boosting ties

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Saturday met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Dushanbe.

Noting that China is Tajikistan's friendly neighbor and close partner, Rahmon said that developing relations with China has always been a top priority for his country.  

The president said the Tajikistan-China comprehensive strategic partnership has developed rapidly in recent years, adding China has become Tajikistan's largest trading partner and biggest source of investment, and Dushanbe is confident in the future of bilateral ties.

Rahmon reaffirmed Tajikistan's firm commitment to the one-China principle. He said China plays an increasingly important and leading role in international affairs, and the Global Governance Initiative is of great significance for improving the global political and economic order.  

Tajikistan, he added, actively supports the initiative and is ready to work with China to implement the four major global initiatives while strengthening coordination within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Central Asia Mechanism in order to safeguard common interests and uphold international fairness and justice.

Wang stressed that the two heads of state maintain close exchanges and strategic communication, building strong mutual trust and deep friendship.  

He said both sides have reached important consensus on building a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future, steering bilateral relations onto a fast track.  

China considers Tajikistan a most trustworthy partner and reliable friend, Wang stressed, and is ready to work together to fully implement the consensus of the two leaders and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.

Wang briefed Rahmon on the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee, saying China's high-quality development and high-level opening up will bring more development opportunities and broader prospects for cooperation to Tajikistan and other countries.

He added that China is willing to enhance coordination with Tajikistan within the SCO and the China-Central Asia Mechanism, jointly combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and strengthen the security foundation for the development and revitalization of both countries.

On the same day, Wang also held the first China-Tajikistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin.