China, Tajikistan upgrade relations, boost cooperation

China and Tajikistan signed 13 documents to enhance cooperation in such areas as agriculture, energy, finance and infrastructure on Thursday.

The agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed at the Great Hall of the People. Present were President Xi Jinping and his Tajikistani counterpart, Emomali Rahmon, who is on a seven-day visit to China that started on Wednesday. The two leaders also signed a joint declaration to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

China and Tajikistan are friendly neighbors with close relations, and are strategic partners with high mutual trust, Xi said, adding that the two countries have made fruitful progress in cooperation in such areas as politics, economy, security and people-to-people exchanges.

"We have treated each other as always with mutual respect, understanding and support," Xi told Rahmon.

China highly appreciates Tajikistan's support for the Belt and Road Initiative from the very beginning, Xi said. The two nations should connect their development strategies and strengthen cooperation on transportation, energy, cyberspace and infrastructure, he added.