ANKARA 

China and Tajikistan announced on Friday their decision to elevate their bilateral relations to a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership."

The announcement came during the meeting between President Xi Jinping and his Tajik counterpart President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe.

President Xi arrived in Tajikistan on Thursday night for a state visit following his attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization leaders' summit in Kazakhstan.

"They jointly announced the decision to develop a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, and to build a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future from a higher starting point," said Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry Hua Chunying on X.

Rahmon welcomed Xi at the Dushanbe International Airport with a grand ceremony. President Xi also awarded Friendship Medal, a highest state honor for foreigners, to his Tajiki counterpart. According to Chinese media, it marks the first time the award has been presented outside of China.

Bilateral trade between the two countries reached nearly $4 billion in 2023, doubling from 2013.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid