In the course of his official trip to China on June 3 Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon visited Shanghai County of Fujian province and studied the activity of Zijin Mining gold producing company.

As reported by the President’s press service, in the course of a special ceremony on the People’s square of the Shanghai County Mayor Se Haibo announced Tajik President Emomali Rahmon an honored citizen of Shanghai and handed him the Golden Key and diploma of the honored citizen.

As reported by the press service, President Rahmon thanked senior officials and citizens of Shanghai for such an honor and stressed that “good neighborly relations and friendship between our nations come from ancient times – the epoch of the Great Silk Way – that’s why our friendship is so strong.”

From Shanghai President Rahmon left for the city of Lunjan and visited Zijin company’s non-ferrous metal deposits located on the peak of the “Gold Mountain”.

When studying the company’s activity it has been noted that Zijin is one of the leading gold producing companies in China.

Press service reports that the company has already invested nearly $200mln to Tajikistan’s Zarafshon joint company and managed to increase production of gold through the use of modern equipment and technologies.

In 2011 Zarafshon company produced 1320kg of gold. This is 9% more as compared to 2010. In 2011 the company paid $18mln in taxes into Tajikistan’s state budget.

It has been noted that in the next few years Zarafshon company is expected to increase production of gold up to 5 tons per annum.

In the course of their talk the sides have agreed to establish similar company in Sughd province of Tajikistan.