Tajik President Rakhmonov Meets with Visiting Vice Premier Wu Yi of the State Council of China in Dushanbe

On July 21, 2005, Tajik President Rakhmonov and Prime Minister Akil Akilov separately met with Vice Premier Wu Yi of the State Council of China, who was paying an official visit to Tajikistan. Both sides exchanged views on developing the good neighborly partnership between the two countries and strengthening the bilateral economic cooperation.

Rakhmonov stressed that developing the good neighborly partnership with China is a top priority in Tajik foreign policy. He said he had met with President Hu Jintao twice this year and they had reached broad consensus on deepening the bilateral cooperation. Tajikistan is willing to maintain more high-level exchanges with China, enhance mutual political trust and strengthen the coordination on regional and international affairs. He hoped to strengthen the cooperation with China in the fields of economy, trade, transportation, hydropower, textile, culture and education.

Wu Yi said that the Chinese side attaches great importance to China-Tajikistan good neighborly and friendly relations and appreciates the Tajik side for its firm support to China on the Taiwan question. China is willing to work with the Tajik side to earnestly implement the consensus reached by both leaders and drive the bilateral cooperation for fruitful results. The Chinese side supports Tajikistan in its endeavor to join the World Trade Organization at an early date.

Both sides stressed that they will strengthen the cooperation in all fields within the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and support and coordinate with each other in combating the "three forces".

Wu Yi and Tajik Prime Minister Akilov held a meeting focusing on the development of bilateral economic and trade relations. Akilov welcomed the Chinese enterprises to Dushanbe to invest in hydropower and transportation and participate in the establishment of Tajik special economic region. Wu Yi expressed that the Chinese side will earnestly study the cooperation wishes and requirements of the Tajik side.

During the visit, Wu Yi and Akilov were present at the signing ceremony of a number of bilateral documents including China-Tajikistan Economic and Technological Cooperation Accord.