DUSHANBE, November 9, 2014, Asia-Plus – While in Beijing for a dialogue on strengthening connectivity, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met there with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on November 7.
According to the Tajik president’s official website, the sides discussed issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between their countries.
They, in particular, discussed ways of effective implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.
President Xi reportedly noted that Tajik government’s strategic goals to provide energy independence and food security as well as construct roads were strategic goals of partnership between China and Tajikistan.
A special attention was given to implementation of large economic projects, including construction of the Tajik section of the gas pipeline Central Asia – China, construction of the second line of the combined heat and power (CHP) plant Dushanbe-2, construction of the Dushanbe – Qurghon Teppa railway, etc.
The sides also discussed perspectives of construction of a rail link connecting Tajikistan, Afghanistan, China, Iran and Persian Gulf, the source said.
China’s news agency Xinhua reports that Xi and Rahmon on Friday vowed to strengthen cooperation in improving connectivity, building the Silk Road Economic Belt and fighting terrorism.
China supports Tajikistan”s plan to become an economic and trade passageway between China and countries in Central Asia and the Gulf region, Xi told Rahmon, who is in Beijing for a dialogue on strengthening connectivity.
The two neighboring nations should explore new models of cooperation in areas such as energy, transportation and agriculture, to bring the collaboration to a higher level, said Xi.
“I”m willing to keep in close touch with you, make plans for cooperation between our countries and push for their realization,” he said when meeting with Rahmon.
Tajikistan actively supports and participates in building the Silk Road Economic Belt and will speed up the construction of cross-border railways and other infrastructure projects, Rahmon said.
He promised to work for the timely completion of the Tajikistan section of Line-D of the China-Central Asia Gas Pipelines.
During Friday”s meeting, Xi also called for joint efforts by China and Tajikistan in crackdowns on online terrorism and drugs, Xinhua reports.
The two countries should work together with parties like Afghanistan in fighting the “three forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, Chinese president said.
Rahmon reportedly told Xi that Tajikistan will better coordinate with China in striking terrorist forces such as the East Turkistan Islamic Movement.
After their meeting, the two presidents attended the signing ceremony of bilateral cooperation agreements.
The Tajik president’s website reports that Tajikistan and China signed four cooperation agreements: 1) Tajik governments of Tajikistan and China signed frame agreement on providing preferential loan to Tajikistan; 2) the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan and the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) signed a loan agreement for construction of the Vahdat-Yovon railway in Tajikistan; 3) the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan and the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) signed a loan agreement for construction of the second line of the Dushanbe-2 combined heat and power (CHP) plant; and 4) the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan and the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) signed a loan agreement for construction of plants for producing cryolite and aluminum fluoride in Tajikistan.
Both Xi and Rahmon attended the dialogue scheduled on Saturday, which was also participated by leaders from Bangladesh, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Pakistan.
China and Tajikistan have seen stronger ties since the establishment of strategic partnership that was announced during Rahmon”s visit to China in May 2013.
Chinese President Xi paid a state visit to Tajikistan in September this year, when he proposed to Rahmon that both sides strive to increase bilateral trade to 3 billion U.S. dollars in the next five years.
