Xi, Rahmon vow to deepen China-Tajikistan strategic partnership

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Beijing on Tuesday, with both leaders pledging to deepen bilateral cooperation across trade, security, technology and regional connectivity.

During the meeting, Xi described steadfast mutual support as the defining feature of China-Tajikistan ties, saying the two countries would remain “good neighbours, good friends and good partners” regardless of changes in the international environment.

The Chinese president said the signing of the Treaty on Permanent Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation reflected the high level of political trust between the two countries and would provide a lasting foundation for bilateral friendship.

Xi reaffirmed China’s support for Tajikistan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and national security, while urging both sides to focus on high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative framework.

He called for deeper alignment of development strategies and expanded cooperation in trade, investment, green energy, the digital economy, smart cities, artificial intelligence and scientific innovation.

Xi also stressed the need to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, promote sub-national cooperation and enhance mutual understanding between the two nations.

On security, the Chinese leader said both countries should intensify cooperation in law enforcement and jointly combat the “three evil forces” of terrorism, extremism and separatism to safeguard regional stability.

He further welcomed Tajikistan’s participation in the International Organization for Mediation and expressed China’s readiness to strengthen coordination within the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Central Asia mechanism.

President Rahmon praised the growing partnership between the two countries, noting that cooperation in trade, investment, transportation and agriculture had yielded significant results, while major joint projects were progressing smoothly.

Reaffirming Tajikistan’s support for Beijing, Rahmon stated that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China and reiterated his country’s commitment to the one-China principle.

He said Tajikistan was keen to expand practical cooperation with China in areas including critical minerals, artificial intelligence and scientific innovation, while also promoting educational and cultural exchanges.

Rahmon also commended China’s role in global diplomacy, saying President Xi’s Global Governance Initiative carried major significance for the international community. He praised Beijing’s efforts in promoting political solutions to international conflicts and easing tensions in the Middle East.

The Tajik leader added that his country was ready to deepen multilateral coordination with China and strengthen joint efforts against terrorism, extremism, separatism and transnational crime.

Following the talks, the two leaders signed and issued the Treaty on Permanent Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, along with a joint statement aimed at deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries in the new era.

The two sides also witnessed the signing of more than 10 cooperation agreements covering party-to-party exchanges, trade and investment, artificial intelligence, green mining and media cooperation.

Additional agreements were signed in sectors including agriculture, culture, education, housing development, inspection and quarantine, and market supervision.