China, Tajikistan to boost cooperation: Xi

President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Tajikistan to focus on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as he held talks with visiting Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Beijing. He said both countries should align their development strategies and work together to advance their respective development goals. According to XInhua News Agency, President Xi said the two sides should enhance the scale and quality of trade and investment, and also ensure the implementation of key projects, expand cooperation in green energy, digital economy, smart cities, artificial intelligence and other areas, and boost scientific and technological innovation. He also said China and Tajikistan need to enhance cooperation on law enforcement and security, and take firm action against terrorism, extremism and separatism. Xi added that China welcomes Tajikistan to join the International Organization for Mediation, and stands ready to strengthen cooperation in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the China-Central Asia mechanism and other frameworks. Edited by Edmond Fong