DUSHANBE, January 13, 2012, Asia-Plus – On Thursday January 12, President Emomali Rahmon received visiting special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Ms. Chen Zhili, who is Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People''s Congress (NPC), the presidential press service reports.

The sides reportedly discussed state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral political, economic and cultural cooperation.

They expressed mutual interest in implementing joint energy and infrastructure development projects, including construction of hydropower plants, electricity transmission lines, regional highways and rail links.

Rahmon and Chen also exchanged views on the current situation in Afghanistan, cooperation between Tajikistan and China within the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and other regional and international organizations.

Ms. Chen arrived in Dushanbe on January 11 for a two-day visit and the visit to Tajikistan is part of her tour of Central Asia’s countries that started on January 5 and will conclude on January 14.  Ms. Chen is attending activities celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the five nations, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.