DUSHANBE, June 15, Asia-Plus -- On the sidelines of his visit to China [on June 14-15] to attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov met with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, presidential press service reported.  

In the course of the talks they discussed a wide range of issues relating to mutually beneficial cooperation between Tajikistan and China.  The two, in particular, discussed a state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of economy, trade, transportation, telecommunications and business projects.  Rahmonov and Hu Jintao also discussed issues related to addressing modern challenges and threats. 

The Tajik president stressed that relationships with China were among priorities and main directions of foreign policy of Tajikistan.  Rahmonov noted that Tajikistan was ready to expand its cooperation with China in combating drug trafficking, terrorism, separatism and extremism.

For his part, Mr. Hu Jintao noted that Tajik-Chinese relations entered qualitatively new level.  China supports efforts of Tajikistan to keep domestic stability and raise national development. 

The sides reached an agreement on providing Yuan 70 million (more than 8.7 million U.S. dollars) to Tajikistan for implementing economic projects.