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Tajikistan strengthens ties with China in landmark presidential visit

A four-day diplomatic push cements China's role as Tajikistan's top ally. Billions in funding now fuel roads, energy, and border security—reshaping Central Asia's future.

The image shows a graph on a white background with text that reads "U.S. Trade in Goods with...
The image shows a graph on a white background with text that reads "U.S. Trade in Goods with China". The graph displays the number of US trade in goods with China over a period of time, with the x-axis representing the years and the y-axis indicating the amount of trade. The graph is divided into two sections, one for imports and one for exports, and each section is further divided into different colors, indicating the different levels of trade between the two countries.

Tajikistan strengthens ties with China in landmark presidential visit

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon visited China from May 11 to 14, 2023, following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip aimed to deepen ties between the two nations, covering trade, energy, and regional security concerns. The four-day visit focused on political talks, economic cooperation, and shared challenges. Both sides discussed expanding trade, green energy projects, and digital infrastructure. Regional security and global issues were also on the agenda.

Tajikistan relies heavily on Chinese investment, with nearly $6 billion poured into the country so far. In 2022 alone, Chinese funding reached around $900 million out of Tajikistan’s $7 billion in foreign investment. Over 700 Chinese-backed companies now operate across Tajikistan’s economy. Security collaboration has grown, with China assisting Tajikistan’s border protection and infrastructure upgrades. The country is also positioning itself as a key transport and energy hub in Central Asia. Currently, more than 300 state-backed projects worth $13 billion are underway with Chinese support, marking one of the largest bilateral investment deals in recent years.

The visit reinforced China’s role as Tajikistan’s top investor and strategic partner. With billions already committed, the two nations are set to expand cooperation in trade, security, and infrastructure. Tajikistan’s push to become a regional transit and energy centre will likely depend on continued Chinese backing.

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