On August 27, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is on a state visit to Tajikistan, held talks with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon at the Palace of Nations in Dushanbe. Both sides reached important consensus on comprehensively advancing Chinese-Tajik good-neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthening cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and safeguarding regional peace and stability.

"Since the two countries established diplomatic relations 16 years ago, the Chinese-Tajik ties have enjoyed a momentum of sound and steady development, and remarkable achievements have been made in cooperation between the two nations in various fields," said Hu. During these years, the two nations have frequent exchanges of high-level visits and have deepened mutual-trust, Hu said. China and Tajikistan have signed more than 100 cooperation documents, including the China-Tajikistan Good-Neighborly and Friendly Cooperation Treaty, which have forged a solid legal basis for the development of bilateral ties, said Hu. China and Tajikistan have also completely settled their border issues left over from history and the concept of the friendship for generations has been deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples. Both sides have expanded pragmatic cooperation with bilateral trade volume growing rapidly, which has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. The two neighboring states have also coordinated effectively on international and regional affairs, contributing to the stability and development of central Asia, Hu added.

Hu pointed out that to develop Chinese-Tajik good-neighborly and friendly cooperation is a set policy of the Chinese government. The Chinese head of state proposed five points to further the development of Chinese-Tajik relations. First, both sides should further enhance political mutual trust and support, especially on key issues such as each other's sovereignty, security and development. Second, the two nations should also "deepen substantial cooperation in a bid to reach a win-win solution, such as promoting trade, improving investment environment and pushing forward cooperation on major projects," he said. Third, Hu also suggested the two countries "expand cultural, education, sports and youth exchanges," to deepen traditional friendship between the two nations. He urged both sides to hold cultural day, arts festival and other activities in various forms to build up mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. Fourth, both sides should also promote regional cooperation and promote common development. Hu urged both sides to tap geographical and humanities advantages of their relevant provinces and states and expand personnel exchanges and non-governmental trade. Fifth, he also urged both sides to intensify multilateral coordination and safeguard common interests by enhancing cooperation under the framework of the SCO and the United Nations, so as to "build a harmonious region with lasting peace and common prosperity."

Rakhmon said Hu's visit to his country immediately after the Games proved China's commitment to bilateral good-neighborly and friendly ties with Tajikistan. This visit will become an important milestone of bilateral friendly relations.

Sharing Hu's views on bilateral ties between the two neighboring countries, Rakhmon said bilateral ties have entered a new stage of development. "China is a good neighbor, friend and partner of Tajikistan with a high level of mutual trust, stable relations and deepened cooperation. To consolidate and enhance the friendly relations with China is one of the priorities of Tajikistan's foreign relations," Rakhmon said. There is huge potential in Chinese-Tajik mutually beneficial cooperation and the Tajik side will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in all areas based on the principle and spirit of the China-Tajikistan Good-Neighborly and Friendly Cooperation Treaty. The head of state pledged to use high-level visits and department cooperation mechanism to further cooperate with China in various fields, such as economy and trade, transport, mining, humanities and exchanges among their border regions. Tajikistan and China hold the same or similar positions on regional and international issues, and are both devoted to safeguarding regional peace and security, and coping with challenges faced by the international community. Rakhmon said that the Tajik side is ready to strengthen cooperation with China within the SCO framework, to combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as drug-trafficking, and promote cooperation on UN affairs.

The Tajik president noted that Tajikistan supports China's territorial integrity and firmly adheres to the one-China policy, for which Hu expressed appreciation.

Rakhmon congratulated China on successfully hosting the Olympiad, saying that the games is a grand festival of the whole mankind. Hu appreciated Tajikistan's support to the just-ended Beijing Olympic Games.

President Hu thanked Tajikistan for its support after the May 12 devastating earthquake in southwestern China's Sichuan province.

Following the talks, the two presidents signed and issued a statement on furthering good-neighborly and friendly cooperation and witnessed the signing of agreements on cooperation in politics, economy and trade, finance and culture. They also jointly met the press.

Prior to the talks, Hu attended a grand welcoming ceremony held by Rakhmon at the square outside the gate of the Palace of Nations.

On the same day, Hu laid a wreath at an ethnic monument in Dushanbe.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above activities.