Key visit heralds new era of Sino-Tajik ties

President Xi Jinping's state visit to Tajikistan will usher in a new era of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and China, a senior Tajik official said, noting that the enduring bond between the two neighbors dates back to the historic exploration of Central Asia by imperial envoy Zhang Qian over 2,000 years ago.

Xi arrived in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, on Thursday night after attending the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Xi, who is on his first state visit to Tajikistan in five years, was offered a grand welcome upon his arrival at the airport. The ceremony featured a guard of honor, the red carpet greeting and a folk art performance.

Farhod Rahimi, chairman of the Committee on Coordination of Activities of the National Assembly of the Supreme Assembly of the Republic of Tajikistan, said the two countries forged a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2017 under the strategic guidance and direct promotion of the two heads of state during Tajik President Emomali Rahmon's state visit to China.

Calling the bilateral relationship a prime example of amicable neighborly ties and genuine cooperation between nations, Rahimi underlined the two countries' deep historical roots, consistent growth in ties and successful collaboration over the years.

The advancement of Tajikistan-China relations is a key focus area and strategic objective within Tajikistan's foreign policy framework, Rahimi said.

The friendly exchanges and collaborative efforts between the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and the Majlisi Milli, the National Assembly of Tajikistan, have significantly contributed to strengthening mutual trust, fostering extensive exchanges, and establishing a legal framework that supports practical bilateral cooperation in various fields, he said.