China, Tajikistan Pledge Further Efforts for Regional PeaceChinese President Jiang Zemin said Tuesday that China is willing to support and cooperate with Tajikistan within bilateral and multi-lateral frameworks to fight national separatism, international terrorism and religious extremism in order to maintain regional peace and stability.Jiang made the remarks in formal talks with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rakhmonov, on Tuesday morning at the presidential residence. National separatists, international terrorists and religious extremists have recently carried out frequent terrorist activities under the pretext of "national independence" and "religious freedom," posing a serious threat to security and stability in the region, Jiang said. Firm actions should be taken to "crack down upon the three vice forces," otherwise they will "leave endless disasters," Jiang stressed, adding that China and Tajikistan share common concern and interests in this regard. Jiang said China is ready to take effective moves together with Tajikistan and the other three parties of the "Shanghai Five" nations -- Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan -- to fight against the evil forces. Rakhmonov said Tajikistan has identical views with China on major international and regional issues. The most grave menace to the region, he said, was the rampant activities of separatism, terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and illegal arms sales. Tajikistan would like to strengthen cooperation with China in international and regional arenas so as to effectively crack down on those forces and find a solution to the problems. Jiang arrived on Monday for a two-day state visit to Tajikistan, the first ever by a Chinese head of state. After the visit, Jiang is scheduled to participate in the a "Shanghai Five" summit in Dushanbe on Wednesday. |
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