NPC Chairman Meets Tajikistan GuestsLi Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said Monday that China is willing to join efforts with Tajikistan to further bilateral relations in the new century.Li made the remarks in a meeting with Sadullo Khairulloyev, speaker of the Lower House of Tajikistan and his party. He said that the bilateral ties have been progressing well and the cooperation in various areas between the two countries has been increasing since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. Li mentioned that the visit to China by Tajikistan President Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov in 1999 and the visit to Tajikistan by Chinese President Jiang Zemin the following year have pushed forward the bilateral relations. Jiang and Rakhmonov met days ago in Shanghai, and now the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has been founded, Li said, adding that he hopes the two countries will strengthen their cooperation in the organization. Li said that China and Tajikistan are cooperative partners based on equality and mutual trust. He noted that Tajikistan has supported China on the Taiwan issue and the opposition to national separatism and China has always supported Tajikistan in its efforts to safeguard national independence and to develop its economy. The NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges with the Tajikistan Parliament so as to enhance mutual understanding and expand their areas of consensus, Li said. Li also briefed the guests on China's people's congress system and China's economic development. Khairulloyev thanked China for its help and assistance. He said that bilateral relations have developed and cooperation has expanded since the two countries forged diplomatic ties. Tajikistan is opposed to national separatism of any kind, he said, adding that his country is willing to work with China on this matter. Khairulloyev also briefed the Chinese side on Tajikistan's domestic situation. Khairulloyev invited Li to visit his country at a convenient time, and Li accepted the invitation with pleasure. |
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