Chinese President Hu Jintao met his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon Tuesday in Astana one day before an annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Hu said he and Rahmon are to discuss bilateral cooperation and other major issues of common interest during the meeting.

Rahmon said advancing Tajikistan-China friendly and cooperative relationship in an all-round way is the priority of Tajikistan's foreign policy. He said the two countries have developed a relationship based on mutual trust. He expressed satisfaction over the two countries' coordination on bilateral and multilateral arenas.

Rahmon reiterated Tajikistan's firm adherence to the one-China policy and determination in combating drug trafficking and the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism.

China-Tajik ties have witnessed healthy and smooth development in recent years, with closer exchanges at high level, increased mutual political trust and expanded practical cooperation in various areas.

The two sides have provided firm support to each other on major issues of mutual concern and have coordinated and cooperated with each other within multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations and the SCO.

Both Hu and Rahmon are scheduled to attend the SCO summit in Astana Wednesday.

Founded on June 15, 2001, the SCO groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

In the past decade, the SCO has played a strong role in safeguarding its member states' right to peaceful development, promoting regional security and stability and enhancing mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation.