DUSHANBE, March 31, 2014, Asia-Plus — Tajikistan’s Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo held meeting with visiting China’s State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan here on March 30.
Faridoun Mahmadaliyev, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan (MoD) says the sides discussed issues related military and technical cooperation between the two countries, training of personnel for Tajik national army and providing regional security.
“Chinese minister highly appraised a role of Tajikistan in providing regional security as well as in combating terrorism,” said Mahmadaliyev. “The Tajik side noted that it will participate in the joint anti-terrorism military exercise, dubbed Peace Mission 2014.”
“Chang and Mirzo also got acquainted with the pace of construction of the House of Officers, which is being built in Dushanbe under financial support of China,” Mahmadaliyev said, noting that China awarded a US$12 million grant for implementation of that project.
Today, visiting Chinese Minister of Defense Chang Wanquan will also hold talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.
China’s State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan arrived in Tajikistan in the evening of March 29 on an official visit.
During his visit, Gen. Chang Wanquan will also attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defense Ministers” Meeting that will take place in the Tajik northern city of Qairoqqqum from April 1-3. The meeting participants will discuss in-depth the consensus reached by leaders of the SCO member states and the concrete measures to maintain regional security and stability and deepen the defense and security cooperation.
