Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met in Beijing Thursday
with his Tajikistan counterpart Sherali Khairullaev, and they
pledged to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Cao, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and
state councilor, said China regards Tajikistan as an important
partner in Central Asia.
Cao said since the two countries established diplomatic ties 14
years ago, bilateral relations have made solid progress in all
fields. As an important part of China-Tajikistan relations, the
ties between the two armed forces have also witnessed sound
development, especially in exchanges and training of personnel.
China will work with Tajikistan to enhance cooperation in
defense and security fields and make joint efforts to improve the
role of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in maintaining
regional security and stability.
Khairullaev, who attended the SCO defense ministers meeting in
Beijing Wednesday, spoke highly of China's efforts in hosting the
meeting.
He expressed appreciation for China's assistance to Tajikistan,
saying that Tajikistan will join China in promoting relations
between the two countries and the two armed forces.
At Wednesday's meeting, defense ministers from Kazakhstan,
China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan agreed to
enhance defense cooperation and to stage a joint anti-terrorist
military exercise in Russia in 2007.
(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2006)
