China is willing to enhance cooperation with Tajikistan in key areas such as energy, infrastructure construction and manufacturing to bring greater benefits to the people of both countries, Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday.

Li made the remarks when meeting with President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan in Beijing. He said China and Tajikistan are friendly neighbors, and relations between the two countries have taken great strides over the past 25 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties. He added that China is willing to deepen mutual trust with Tajikistan and expand mutually beneficial cooperation under a framework such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and expand people-to-people exchanges.

Li stressed that China firmly supports the development path that Tajikistan people chose for their country, and is willing to link up such a path with the Belt and Road Initiative to improve connectivity in areas such as transportation and telecommunications. He called for the Tajikistan side to offer better convenience.

Rahmon said Tajikistan and China are cooperative partners, and have achieved long term development in areas such as business, trade and people-to-people exchanges. He said Tajikistan is willing to strengthen ties with China in their development strategy, and enhance cooperation in electricity, finance, agriculture, transportation and tourism.