China and Tajikistan should carry out more solid security cooperation to counter the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday during his visit to Tajikistan.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. The Chinese diplomat is currently on the second leg of his five-day tour of Central Asia, after his visit to Turkmenistan.
Hailing bilateral relationship "at historic high" at this time, Wang said China will continue to consolidate political mutual trust with Tajikistan, while pushing for cooperation on all fronts.
Rahmon first congratulated the Communist Party of China (CPC), as this year marks the 100th anniversary of its founding. He spoke highly of the accomplishments China has made under the leadership of the CPC.
He said he hopes to see further ties with China in sectors including politics, economics and people-to-people exchanges.
The Tajik president thanked China's support for its current role as the rotating presidency of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), vowing to advance the development of SCO along with China.
Wang meets his Tajik counterpart
China will continue to give convenience to trade and investment with Tajikistan, hoping for stronger ties with the Central Asian country in the years to come, Wang said while meeting with his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin.
China is willing to strengthen strategic communication with Tajikistan and jointly push for the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative with high quality, Wang said.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) and Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin meet press in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, July 13, 2021. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
Wang added that Beijing is also hoping to promote agriculture and poverty alleviation cooperation with Dushanbe.
The two countries will develop "a community of shared future of development" and "a community of shared future of security," which will focus on sustainable development and countering potential terrorism, Wang pointed out.
In terms of regional cooperation, Wang said that the China and five Central Asian countries (C+C5) mechanism is a "well-needed" idea that fits into the countries' interests and shares broad development prospects. He said he hopes to continue developing the cooperation mechanism.
On his side, Muhriddin congratulated the Communist Party of China (CPC) on its founding anniversary.
Since Tajikistan and China established diplomatic ties, the two countries have deepened political mutual trust, Muhriddin pointed out, adding that the bilateral relationship has also rapidly developed.
On behalf of his country, he thanked China for the COVID-19 vaccines provided during Tajikistan's anti-epidemic fight, and said he hoped to strengthen cooperation with Beijing in sectors including trade, agriculture, investment and transportation.