On April 11, in the Majlisi namoyandagon Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, a round table was held dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the signing of the “Joint Declaration on the Basic Principles of Relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Tajikistan” during which issues of the formation and development of the political and legal framework of bilateral relations were discussed.
The discussion was attended by heads of ministries and departments of the Republic of Tajikistan, deputies of the Friendship and Cooperation Group of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan and the National People’s Congress of China, as well as employees of the Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan.
During the course, it was noted that China is a strategic partner of the Republic of Tajikistan. Strengthening and development of bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation with this state is one of the priorities of the foreign policy of Tajikistan.
The participants expressed their views on mutually beneficial cooperation between the two states and plans for the future.
Speaking at the event, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Ji Shumin, noted that in March 1993, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon visited China for the first time, during which the parties signed the “Joint Declaration” – which is an important landmark document.
The Joint Declaration emphasizes that the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Tajikistan will develop relations of good neighborliness, friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.
The level of political mutual trust continues to rise.
Based on the principles of equal consultation, mutual understanding and mutual compliance, both sides have fully resolved border issues, turning the Sino-Tajik border into a bridge aimed at strengthening centuries-old friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Legislative cooperation is an important part of Sino-Tajik relations, and plays a unique and indispensable role. In the new year, we expect a full-scale resumption of exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries and the achievement of new results.
It should be noted a breakthrough in business cooperation.
In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the One Belt, One Road Initiative. Tajikistan was one of the first to respond to the Chinese initiative and takes an active part in it.
In 2022, there was a strong growth in trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. The trade turnover between China and Tajikistan last year reached about 2.6 billion US dollars and grew by almost 40% compared to the previous year. China is the largest source of foreign investment in the Tajik economy. A number of important infrastructure projects in the field of transport, energy and industry are being implemented between the two countries.
Humanitarian ties are also becoming closer.
“Interest in China and the Chinese language” among the youth of Tajikistan is constantly growing. Currently, the two Confucius Institutes in Tajikistan have over 2,600 students, and in China, over 2,800 students from Tajikistan. A specialty – the Tajik language – appeared at the Beijing University of Foreign Studies. In order to encourage outstanding Chinese language students, the Chinese Embassy will no longer provide an “Ambassador’s Scholarship” this year.
In the course of the joint fight against the coronavirus epidemic, friendship and mutual understanding between our peoples has greatly strengthened. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, China has provided Tajikistan with a total of 8.3 million doses of vaccines as donations.
Over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Tajikistan, despite the fact that the international situation is undergoing profound changes, China-Tajikistan relations have been steadily and steadily moving forward.
We cherish even more the spirit and principles that were defined by the Joint Declaration and will jointly strengthen our cooperation aimed at the well-being of our countries and peoples.
Source : Avesta