Chinese President Hu Jintao and Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon agreed on Monday to make joint efforts to expand cooperation between their nations.

At their meeting on the sidelines of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Ural mountain city of Yekaterinburg, Hu said China and Tajikistan have maintained close high-level exchanges, expanded their pragmatic cooperation and smoothly implemented large-scale economic, trade and transport joint projects.

The two countries have always trusted and supported each other on such major issues as sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Hu said.

He said China stands ready to work with Tajikistan to implement the consensus and agreements reached between the two countries, boost bilateral cooperation in a variety of fields, jointly meet the challenges brought about by the financial crisis, push for regional economic recovery and strengthen coordination in regional and international affairs.

China is also willing to cooperate with Tajikistan in mining, agriculture and other large-scale joint projects, he said.

China is ready to help Tajikistan build an agricultural technology center that is designed to increase food output and promote personnel training, and China hopes the two sides make efforts to improve the investment environment and protect the legitimate interests of enterprises and citizens, Hu said.

The Chinese president also hoped for a strengthening of security cooperation in a bilateral framework and within the SCO to safeguard peace and stability in both countries and in the region.

Rakhmon said the two countries have seen their bilateral cooperation enriched and personnel exchanges increased. Economic and trade cooperation has developed steadily, with trade volume rising continuously and the Chinese aid projects underway.

Tajikistan appreciates China's support and aid and is ready to enhance the mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, mining, finance and in other areas, he said.

At the meeting, Rakhmon reiterated Tajikistan's adherence to the one-China policy.

Hu arrived in Russia on Sunday for the annual SCO summit, which will discuss how to tackle the international financial crisis and expand cooperation in political, economic, security and other areas among its member states.

Founded in 2001, the SCO consists of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran are observers.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2009)