China to boost ties with Tajikistan to new levels: Premier Li

DUSHANBE -- China and Tajikistan will support each other and seek common development to boost bilateral ties to new levels, Premier Li Keqiang said.

Li made the remarks when holding talks with Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, on Saturday.

Li said Tajikistan is the first leg of his Eurasian trip, which demonstrates the importance China attaches to the comprehensive strategic partnership with Tajikistan.

Noting the rapid and healthy growth of bilateral ties and cooperation in all areas at the moment, Li said China stands ready to strengthen the synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative with Tajikistan's development strategy to advance good-neighborliness and practical cooperation across the matrix.

Speaking in details, Li said cooperation in economy and trade and investment must be expanded. Leading and trustworthy Chinese companies are encouraged to invest in Tajikistan in the fields of energy, power, mineral exploitation, industrial capacity and processing.

He said connectivity should be strengthened, with more to be done in transportation, energy, and border infrastructure development.

Cooperation on agriculture needs to be expanded, he said, adding that the focus is agricultural processing and import of more high-quality Tajik farm products.

Li also spoke of the need to improve the business environment, strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and tighten coordination and cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Rasulzoda said Tajikistan is willing to take an active part in building the Belt and Road, enhance bilateral practical cooperation in trade, energy, transportation, agriculture, investment and financing, expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, among others, to maintain the healthy and steady development of the bilateral ties.

Rasulzoda said Tajikistan is ready to coordinate closely with China under the SCO framework.

After the talks, Li and Rasulzoda witnessed the signing of documents on political, trade, customs, and local cooperation, and jointly met the press.