On the afternoon of June 16, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmonov at the State Guest Hotel where President Hu stayed and the two sides exchanged in-depth views on deepening bilateral ties and promoting sound development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Hu Jintao said to Rakhmonov that when they met with each other in Moscow last year, they reached significant consensus on pushing for development of bilateral ties. Over the past year, bilateral relations have enjoyed new development and President Rakhmonov and Prime Minister Akil Akilov have visited China respectively and exchanging views broadly with China on enhancing pragmatic cooperation. Economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has also developed rapidly. Hu Jintao indicated that to promote continuous development of bilateral ties, China would like to work closely with Tajikistan to jointly do a good job in the following things. First, the two sides should further strengthen friendly exchanges, deepen mutual trust and continue mutual support on significant issues. Second, the two sides should strengthen bilateral cooperation in law enforcement and security, and crack down on the "three forces" as well as drug trafficking. Third, the two sides should improve their environment for investment and upgrade the level of economic and trade cooperation. Fourth, the two sides should expand exchanges and cooperation in the cultural area and enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Rakhmonov thanked China for offering support and help for Tajikistan's economic development. He said that China is Tajikistan's good friend, good partner and good neighbor. Continuously reinforcing bilateral cooperation is one of the priorities for Tajikistan's foreign affairs. Tajikistan fully agrees on President Hu Jintao's relevant proposals. Rakhmonov noted that with huge potential for economic and trade cooperation between Tajikistan and China yet to be tapped, the opening of new ports along the borders of the two countries will enable the borders to become the link for cooperation. The two sides should fully tap into their respective advantages for further cooperation in various fields.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on development of the SCO mechanism as well as other issues, and agreed that further pragmatic cooperation in specific areas should become the priority for the organization's work in the future. The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination to ensure the sound development of the SCO so that it can become an effective mechanism for promoting regional security, stability and development.