DUSHANBE, 09.06.2017. /NIAT «Khovar»/. The Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met today in Astana with the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the meeting of the SCO Heads of States Council.

The talks covered, in particular, the current state and prospects for developing of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and China within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Expressing his satisfaction with the level of wide-ranging interstate relations and constructive political dialogue between the two countries over 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the President of our country Emomali Rahmon called the enhancement of strategic and partnership relations with the People’s Republic of China one of the priority directions of the foreign policy of Tajikistan.

With a view to the further steady development and expansion of bilateral cooperation in the fields of policy, trade and economy, scientific-technical and cultural spheres, the sides stressed that both countries completed many effective measures to strengthen relations in these areas.

The positive proposals were presented for boosting integration in the banking sector and financial system, contributing to the preventing and managing the consequences of natural disasters in Tajikistan, facilitating the implementation of major infrastructure and transport projects, including the creation of an economic belt around Great Silk Road, the launching of construction of the Tajikistan section of China-Central Asia gas pipeline and China –Kyrgyzstan – Tajikistan – Afghanistan– Iran railway.

At the meeting, discussion took place about fight against terrorism, extremism, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, transnational organized crime and contribution to ensuring security and stability in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Concluding the talks, the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping invited the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to make a visit to China in the relatively near future.