DUSHANBE, January 5, Asia-Plus – Diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and China were established 16 year ago, when an Agreement on Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation was signed on January 4, 1992, and since that time, cooperation between Tajikistan and China has been dynamically developing, Tajik Ambassador to China Rashid Olimov said in an interview with News Internet-Center at the Information Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Olimov noted that China was among the first to recognize Tajikistan’s independence and offer its cooperation. “In March this year, it will be 15 years since a Joint Declaration on principles of bilateral relations was signed,” said the ambassador, “…and according to estimates of both Tajik and Chinese sides, bilateral cooperation between the two countries is dynamically developing.”
Tajik diplomat noted that due to support of China’s Government Tajikistan has been implementing a number of projects for construction of roads, bridges and tunnels.
The fact that Tajikistan and China are member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) promotes further strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries, Olimov said.
“A number of projects are being implemented in Tajikistan within the framework of SCO,” said Tajik diplomat, “Among them are projects aimed at construction of power grids and rehabilitation of the highway from Dushanbe via Khujand to Uzbek border.” They are the largest projects being implemented in the Central Asian region within the framework of the Organization, he added, expressing hope for implementation of more energy projects in the region within the framework of SCO.
Olimov also outlined education as one of priorities of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and China. According to him, 63 Tajik students now study at higher educational institutions in China. They are studying various disciplines, including the Chinese language, economics and even traditional Chinese medicine.
