Chinese, Tajik presidents inaugurate construction of gas pipeline, thermal power plant

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon attend the completion ceremony of first-phase project of the Dushanbe No.2 power plant and the groundbreaking ceremony of second-phase project of the Dushanbe No.2 power plant in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, Sept. 13, 2014.(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon on Saturday attended the construction commencement ceremony of the Tajikistan section of Line-D of the China-Central Asia Gas Pipelines. [Special coverage]

The 1000-km-long Line-D, one of China's major energy cooperation projects in Central Asia, will run from Turkmenistan across Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to China, with an expected delivery capacity of 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas every year once construction is completed in 2016.

Among all countries the pipeline travels through, Tajikistan has the longest section of about 410 km.

At the commencement ceremony, Xi called the China-Central Asia Gas Pipelines a strategic cooperation project that involves and benefits multiple parties, saying it is very important for regional economic development.

The fact that Line-D will run through the lofty and steepy Pamirs and its long distance will make the construction a very tough task, said Xi.

However, he said, "I believe that this energy aorta, a symbol of China-Tajikistan friendship, will be built on time with joint efforts and close cooperation between our two countries."

With thriving cooperation between China and Central Asian nations in recent years, the old Silk Road which links them has been undergoing a revival, Xi said.

"We should carry on the ancient Silk Road spirit, pass on our friendship, deepen cooperation and jointly build a brighter future for the relations of our two nations, " said Xi.

For his part, Rahmon said Line-D embodies reciprocal and win-win cooperation of the two nations, adding that it will create more than 3,000 jobs in Tajikistan.

Tajikistan is ready to work with China to achieve common development, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, he said.

Earlier in the day, the two presidents also attended a ceremony in Dushanbe that marked the completion of the first-phase construction of a thermal power plant and commencement of the second phase.