Xi's visit to inject strong impetus to Tajikistan-China ties: Tajik president

The ongoing state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Tajikistan will inject strong impetus to the all-dimensional development of bilateral ties, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon said Saturday. [Special coverage]

"China is not only our great neighbor, but also a strategic partner," Rahmon said in a joint interview with Chinese journalists.

"We have been expanding cooperation in various spheres throughout the years, and I'm more than satisfied with the stable development of the bilateral relations," he said.

Rahmon hailed bilateral cooperation in cracking down on the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism, as well as in curbing illegal drug-trafficking and transnational organized crimes.

He also lauded people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, saying more than 2,000 Tajiks are studying in China.

"Young people from both countries are eager to familiarize themselves with each other's culture, history, customs and language, which is pleasant," he added.

The president recalled that Tajikistan and China signed a number of important agreements last year, including that of establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries.

China, Rahmon said, is among the first countries that recognized Tajikistan's independence and has ever since offered substantial political and economic aid.

In particular, he expressed gratitude for China's assistance under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, in building a power grid and upgrading a major road linking Dushanbe and the northwest city of Khujand. In both cases, China's help contributes to Tajikistan's national integrity, he said.

Noting the bilateral trade volume has exceeded 2 billion U.S. dollars, he said the two sides plan to sign a China-to-Tajikistan direct investment deal worth 5 billion dollars, which could create tens of thousands of jobs for Tajiks.

Calling Xi a "sagacious and far-sighted friend," Rahmon said he had carefully studied Xi's initiative to build the Silk Road Economic Belt, calling it an answer for what Tajikistan needs.

"Indeed, it is a wise proposal," he said, adding it can bring sustainable economic benefits to China's neighbors.

"Unlike other countries, we are poor of such resources as oil, weaponry and gold," Rahmon said. "But, we have a good neighbor, that is, China."