China will boost economic cooperation with Tajikistan and strengthen joint efforts with the country in fighting terrorism and drug-trafficking, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said during talks in Dushanbe Tuesday with Tajik President Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov and Prime Minister Akil Akilov.

Political trust between the two countries has deepened, and cooperation between the two sides in economy, culture, security, the anti-drug campaign and environmental protection has expanded since the two countries established diplomatic relations 11 years ago, Li told the two Tajik leaders.

China is willing to work with Tajikistan to fully tap the potential of Sino-Tajik cooperation and boost bilateral economic and trade ties, Li said.

The exchange of approvals of a supplement to the border agreement between China and Tajikistan added a finishing touch to the solution of border issues between the two sides, Li said.

He thanked the Tajik leaders for their support for the one-China policy.

China and Tajikistan are both threatened by the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and religious extremism, as well as drugs, Li said. China would like to work closely together with Tajikistan to fight the "three evil forces" and drug trafficking within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

President Rakhmonov said he expected more Chinese enterprises to invest in Tajikistan, especially in the exploitation of its natural resources. The two sides should redouble their efforts to strengthen economic and trade ties.

The Tajik leaders expressed their willingness to cooperate with China in cracking down on the "three evil forces" and drug trafficking.

Li held talks with his Tajik counterpart, Talbak Nazarov, on the same day, and the two leaders signed agreements on border management and combating terrorism.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2003)