DUSHANBE, Sept. 13 -- China and Tajikistan agreed here Saturday to continue boosting bilateral pragmatic cooperation to further develop and deepen their strategic partnership.

The consensus was written into a joint declaration signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon.

In the document, both countries highly commend the significant role of the China-Tajikistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in deepening bilateral pragmatic cooperation.

Both sides wish to enhance the role of the commission to optimize the structure of trade between the two countries, enrich the forms of cooperation, and expand cooperation channels, so as to enlarge the scale of bilateral trade and promote it to higher levels, read the declaration.

The two sides will make continued efforts to improve the trade and investment environment, provide favorable conditions for the market access of goods, services, technology and capital on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, the document said, adding that efforts will also be made to facilitate the flow of human resources between the two countries.

On oil and gas resources, the two sides stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in exploration, exploitation and processing, and comprehensive utilization. They also vowed to guarantee smooth implementation of bilateral agreed-upon energy infrastructure projects, and carry out cooperation in the area of renewable energy.

The two sides agree that the Tajikistan segment of Line D of the China-Central Asia gas pipeline is a project of strategic significance that serves the development interests of both China and Tajikistan, according to the joint declaration.

Also, the two countries are willing to further expand cooperation in the joint exploration, exploitation and processing of mineral resources, while China will provide the Tajik side with advanced energy-efficient equipment and help Tajikistan relieve the country's shortage of energy.

Furthermore, the two sides will deepen financial cooperation, boost the settlement of bilateral trade in national currencies, expand cooperation on interbank credit, make exploration for flexible and diversified means of financing, and provide financial support for important cooperation projects.

The two sides unanimously agree that cooperation for interconnection and mutual access -- as an important orientation of development of China-Tajikistan strategic partnership -- will be of great significance.

At the same time, the two countries will continue to make a good use of such mechanisms and platforms as the Sub-Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and Tajikistan within the framework of the Intergovernmental Trade and Economic Commission, and the China-Eurasia Expo, to comprehensively promote cooperation between neighboring border regions of the two countries to higher levels, according to the document.

The two sides also agree that the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative has ushered in new historic opportunities for the launch of all-round cooperation between China and Tajikistan.

The two countries will also continue to strengthen mutual support and cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and other international and regional multilateral organizations, according to the joint declaration.