DUSHANBE — Premier Li Keqiang called on China and Tajikistan to continue to consolidate mutual political trust, promote pragmatic cooperation and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Premier Li made the remarks on Oct 10 in a signed article for a Tajik newspaper prior to his official visit to Tajikistan and attendance at the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Noting economic and trade cooperation between the two countries is becoming increasingly close, Premier Li called on the two countries to continue to facilitate pragmatic cooperation.

“China is willing to dovetail the Belt and Road Initiative with Tajikistan’s development strategy, so as to achieve shared growth through discussion and collaboration,” said Premier Li.

The Premier suggested that the two countries facilitate cooperation on industry capacity, infrastructure and interconnectivity, thereby helping Tajikistan’s industrial upgrading and sustained economic development.

China is one of Tajikistan’s most important trading partners and in the first seven months of this year, trade turnover between the two countries has achieved double-digit growth. During Premier Li’s visit, the two sides will further strengthen trade, as well as customs and local cooperation.

Saying that mutual political trust is the cornerstone of the long-term development of bilateral relations, Premier Li promised that China will, as always, support Tajikistan in choosing a development path that suits that country’s own conditions, and support Tajikistan’s efforts to maintain national security and stability and promote economic and social development.

“China stands ready to enhance coordination and cooperation with Tajikistan under multilateral frameworks such as the UN (United Nations), the SCO and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, and jointly contribute to the promotion of international and regional cooperation,” Premier Li said.

China and Tajikistan are both founding members of the SCO. Highlighting the significance of the SCO heads of government meeting, Premier Li said China expects to converge cooperation consensus, map out cooperation plans with participating countries, forge ahead with the SCO’s development and make greater contributions to maintaining stability, developing the economy and improving people’s livelihood.