Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived on Thursday in the Tajik capital city of Dushanbe for an official visit and attendance at the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda and Head of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Rahmon Ozoda Emomali led a group of senior government officials to meet Li at the airport, where a grand welcoming ceremony was held. Local youth in national costumes presented flowers to the Chinese premier and his wife. Then Li, accompanied by Rasulzoda, reviewed the honor guard. 

The trip marks Li’s first visit to Tajikistan where the two sides will sign documents on trade, customs and local cooperation, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry officials at a press briefing on Tuesday.

The 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO will be held from October 11 to 12. Li is expected to exchange views with SCO leaders, and a joint statement and documents concerning cooperation and development of the SCO are expected to be signed during the meeting.