Speaking at a regular press conference in Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian noted on July 26 that State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that will take place in Uzbekistan on July 28 and 29.

Before and after this meeting, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay official visits to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan upon the invitation of Acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov of Uzbekistan, Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubayev of Kyrgyzstan and Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted. 

He further said that Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are all friendly neighbors and comprehensive strategic partners of China.

“This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the three countries, the 20th anniversary of the signing of the SCO Charter and the 15th anniversary of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation among SCO member states,” Zhao noted.

“Currently, the situation in Central Asia is facing new challenges due to various internal and external factors.  Regional countries share the hope to deepen cooperation with China, jointly pursue development and promote security, and look forward to more SCO contributions and commitments,” said the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.  “Against such a backdrop, State Councilor and Foreign Minister’s upcoming visit will carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Central Asian countries, deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between our two sides, and build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.”

According to him, during the visit, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with the leaders and have talks with the foreign ministers of the three countries to exchange views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of shared interest.

“State Councilor Wang will attend the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting and other multilateral events, and make full preparations for the SCO Samarkand Summit later this year with other foreign ministers of SCO member states.  We believe this visit will fully implement the important common understandings among President Xi Jinping and leaders of other SCO countries, deepen bilateral and multilateral mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas, promote strong and solid Belt and Road cooperation, and make new contribution to regional peace and stability and countries’ development and prosperity,” Zhao added.

The Republic of Tajikistan and the People's Republic of China have friendly relations characterized by bilateral and multilateral collaboration.

The two countries established formal relations on January 4, 1992, shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.  As the leader of Tajikistan, now-President Emomali Rahmon first visited Beijing in March 1993.

Tajikistan and China are active members of regional and international organizations and as a result, they closely cooperate within the frameworks of these organizations, particularly within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Because it has a border with China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region (XUAR), Tajikistan's political stability is very important to China.  China firmly supports Tajikistan's efforts to preserve its national security and stability, and it also helps Tajikistan develop its economy. 

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Dushanbe has been functioning since March 13, 1992 and the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in Beijing was established on April 7, 1997.  

The legal foundations of the relationship between the two countries includes more than 200 interstate and intergovernmental agreements.