DUSHANBE, August 27, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- The state visit of President Hu Jintao has paved the way for breakthrough in bilateral cooperation between our countries, President Emomali Rahmon remarked at a meeting with the press in Dushanbe on August 27, following negotiations between the government delegation of Tajikistan and China.  

According to him, the Dushanbe dialogue promoted further expansion of cooperation between the two countries.  Tajik head of state expressed confidence that the documents signed today would specify further interaction.   

 Rahmon also noted that some 80 Chinese companies currently work in Tajikistan in areas such communications, construction, and service.  

 “We intend to build a number of hydroelectric power plants on the inner rivers with support of Chinese specialists and I believe that our specialists will start work in this direction in the near future,” President Rahmon said.  

He also noted that they had discussed situation in the region and agreed to coordinate their positions and approaches on topical global and regional problems.  Tajikistan and China spoke for further strengthening the SCO as effective mechanism of multilateral activities, according to him.  

Rahmon added that both countries express hope that the upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will promote strengthening the role of the Organization.

President Hu Jintao, for his part, noted that his country is ready provide assistance to Tajikistan with development of natural resources, enhancement of energy sector and called on private companies work more active in those directions.  

During bilateral talks, Rahmon and Hu discussed ways of furthering bilateral ties and major international and regional issues.  Following their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents by representatives of the two countries. 

Hu arrived in Dushanbe Tuesday from Seoul after a state visit to the Republic of Korea.  In Dushanbe, he will also attend the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) slated for Thursday.  The Chinese president will leave for Turkmenistan Thursday to continue his three-nation tour.