ASTANA — China wishes to promote bilateral cooperation in key areas such as connectivity and agriculture on the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Tajikistan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on April 21.

Wang made the remarks while meeting his Tajik counterpart, Sirodjidin Aslov, on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting.

China and Tajikistan are good friends, good neighbors and good partners, and the leaders of the two countries have established deep mutual trust and friendship, said Wang.

The two countries are holding a series of activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations and China is ready to ride the momentum to strengthen bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and in key areas such as connectivity and agriculture, the foreign minister said.

For his part, Aslov said the two countries have maintained brotherly friendship and the Tajikistan-China Strategic Partnership entails tangible results in many areas rather than being an empty concept.

Tajikistan was among the first countries to voice support for the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and is also a reliable partner for China in its fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, Aslov said.

He added that the Tajik side is willing to increase connectivity with China and deepen pragmatic cooperation in transportation, agriculture and trade, and boost cultural exchanges.