Beijing became the epicenter of Central Asian diplomacy this week as senior Chinese officials welcomed key leaders from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Against the backdrop of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 and the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance, these meetings signal a new chapter in regional cooperation.
On Wednesday, Zhao Leji, chairman of the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee, met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. Zhao praised the health of China-Tajikistan relations, calling them "the strongest in our history." He reaffirmed Chinas commitment to implement the strategic consensus set by President Xi Jinping and President Rahmon, including deeper legal frameworks and parliamentary exchanges to support joint projects.
President Rahmon emphasized that China is a cornerstone of Tajikistans foreign policy. He highlighted plans to expand collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative, boost trade and investment, facilitate cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and enhance security cooperation. Both sides agreed to strengthen legislative dialogues to provide robust legal guarantees for future initiatives.
Also on Wednesday, Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, hosted Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Beijing. Cai expressed readiness to advance the consensus reached by President Xi and President Japarov, with a focus on mutually beneficial projects that build a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future.
Reflecting on the commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary, President Japarov noted its role in underscoring the importance of remembering history and safeguarding peace. He affirmed Kyrgyzstans strong support for Chinas core interests and vowed to proactively promote broad cooperation across economic, cultural, and security domains.
These high-level exchanges underscore Chinas expanding diplomatic footprint in Central Asia. As the SCO Summit approaches, young entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and global citizens alike will be watching how these partnerships translate into innovative projects, cross-border investments, and sustainable development on the Eurasian continent.
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Senior Chinese leaders meet visiting foreign leaders in Beijing
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