China and Tajikistan presidents talk up friendship

President Xi Jinping shakes hands with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon on Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and Tajikistan should boost interconnectivity and enhance cooperation on production and equipment manufacturing, President Xi Jinping told his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon on Friday.

The two presidents met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The two countries have made important achievements related to the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi said, adding that both sides should push forward high-level, innovative and multi-area cooperation.

Calling Tajikistan a friendly neighbor and highly trusted strategic partner, Xi said that the two countries' high-level exchanges had been frequent in recent years with fruitful cooperation in trade, agriculture, infrastructure construction, energy and security.

The two countries have maintained close links under the United Nations and SCO frameworks, Xi said.

Xi called on the two countries to deepen cooperation on disaster relief, facilitate trade and investment, and enhance cooperation on defense and law enforcement.

China would like to seize the opportunity of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Tajikistan to enhance strategic cooperation, Xi said.

Rahmon said that Tajikistan and China are good neighbors, friends and partners.

Tajikistan cherishes its friendship with China and attaches great importance to China's role in global affairs, he said.

Tajikistan would like to connect its development strategy with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, and enhance cooperation with China in areas including interconnectivity, electricity, agriculture and security, he said.