Xi's visit to raise Beijing-Dushanbe relations to new level - Chinese ambassador

DUSHANBE. July 5 (Interfax) - Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Tajikistan will help strengthen mutual support and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, Chinese Ambassador in Dushanbe Ji Shumin said in an article published in the Renmin Ribao newspaper on Thursday.

"Changes not seen over the past century are ongoing in the world today. The state visit to Tajikistan by Chinese President Xi Jinping will offer opportunities to broaden traditional friendship, strengthen mutual support and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and will also bring relations between China and Tajikistan to a new level for the greater benefit of the peoples of the two countries," Ji said in the article.

Diplomatic relations between China and Tajikistan have been developing at a sound and stable pace since they were established in 1992, and have become even closer over the past few years, the diplomat said. In particular, Xi and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon made a decision in 2013 on establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries. China and Tajikistan made their strategic partnership comprehensive in 2017, and in 2019 they announced the creation of the two countries' development community and security community. In May 2023, they started to build a China-Tajikistan community of one fate in the spirit of their centuries-long friendship, their common future, mutual benefit and mutual gain.

China and Tajikistan have also accelerated the pace of their practical cooperation, including projects in infrastructure, the metals sector, energy, cement production and cotton-spinning industrial parks. Bilateral trade doubled from 2013 to 2023. China is now the largest investor in the Tajik economy and one of Tajikistan's major trade partners. According to statistical data, China invested $257 million in the Tajik economy in 2022, including $192 million in direct investments. They account for 74% of the total amount of investments received by Tajikistan.

The Chinese president arrived in Tajikistan on Thursday evening on a state visit, which is due to last until July 6 and will include high-level meetings and talks, the signing of a number of new cooperation documents and other events.