Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his Tajikistan counterpart, Emomali Rahmon, on Friday in Astana, hailing that the two countries are friendly neighbors and strategic partners.

The two heads of state met ahead of the 17th SCO summit in the Kazakh capital. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Tajikistan.

Xi pointed out that the cooperation between China and Tajikistan achieved fruitful results within the UN and SCO framework. The two countries have scored important results under the Belt and Road Initiative, and will promote the cooperation to high-end, innovation, diversified direction in the future.

Rahmon said Tajikistan cherishes the friendship with China, and attaches importance to China's crucial role in international affairs, adding that it is committed to deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Tajikistan is willing to connect its own development with the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthening cooperation on various areas including the interconnection, electricity, agriculture and security, Rahmon expressed.