PREMIER Li Keqiang arrived in Tajikistan on Thursday for an annual meeting of heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states and an official visit to Tajikistan.

At the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member states, Li will discuss with other leaders issues such as deepening joint efforts to build the Belt and Road and strengthening cooperation in such fields as trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges to advance SCO practical cooperation in all areas.

Li on Wednesday called on China and Tajikistan to continue to consolidate mutual political trust, promote pragmatic cooperation and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Li made the remarks in a signed article for a Tajik newspaper prior to his official visit to Tajikistan and attendance at the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO.

Noting economic and trade cooperation between the two countries is becoming increasingly close, Li called on the two countries to continue to facilitate pragmatic cooperation.

“China is willing to dovetail the Belt and Road Initiative with Tajikistan’s development strategy, so as to achieve shared growth through discussion and collaboration,” said Li.

The premier suggested that the two countries facilitate cooperation on industry capacity, infrastructure and interconnectivity, thereby helping Tajikistan’s industrial upgrading and sustained economic development. The meeting is expected to release a joint statement, speaking with one voice on major international and regional issues. Cooperation documents are also expected to be signed.

The SCO was established in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017.

It is also Li’s first visit to Tajikistan.

On the official visit, he is expected to discuss with Tajik leaders the development of bilateral ties under new circumstances, cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as important international and regional issues. Documents on trade, customs and local cooperation are expected to be signed.

Li will also pay official visits to the Netherlands, attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Brussels and pay a working visit to Belgium.

(Xinhua)