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China–Tajikistan relations

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China–Tajikistan relations
Map indicating locations of China and Tajikistan

China
Tajikistan
Diplomatic mission
Chinese Embassy, DushanbeTajik Embassy, Beijing
Envoy
Ambassador Ji ShuminAmbassador Saidzoda Zohir Ozod

The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Tajikistan have friendly relations characterized by bilateral and multilateral collaboration.

History

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The two countries established formal relations on January 4, 1992, shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. As the leader of Tajikistan, now-President Emomali Rahmon first visited Beijing in March 1993.[1] China's embassy in Dushanbe has been functioning since March 13, 1992 and the Tajik embassy in Beijing was established on April 7, 1997.

Economy and trade

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The total trade turnover between the two countries in 2012 has reached U.S. $2 billion. China is among the three largest trade partners of Tajikistan.[2] A number of large Chinese enterprises in various industries operate in Tajikistan.[citation needed] In 2012, Tajikistan obtained China's promise to provide it with nearly US$1 billion in the form of grants, technical assistance and credits on preferential terms.[3]

Tajikistan and China have signed approximately 200 agreements on trade, health, agriculture, and education.[4]: 152 

In 2022, China accounted for 17.5% of Tajikistan's total trade, second largest after Russia.[5]

Tajikistan is active in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), viewing the BRI as an opportunity to increase inbound foreign direct investment, modernize its transportation infrastructure, and build better connections with Europe and China.[6]: 216 

Border dispute

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Main article: China–Tajikistan border

China had a longstanding territorial claim on about 28,430 square kilometers (10.977 square miles) of Tajik territory since 1884, which was taken from the then Qing dynasty by unequal treaties.[7][8]

In 2011, as part of a boundary agreement, China officially relinquished its claim on 96% of the total disputed territory, while Tajikistan ceded around 4% - about 1,137 square km (439 square miles) – to China.[8][9][10]

International cooperation

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Tajikistan and China are active members of regional and international organizations and as a result, they closely cooperate within the frameworks of these organizations, particularly within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.[citation needed]

The legal framework of the relationship between the two countries accounts for more than 200 interstate and intergovernmental agreements.[citation needed]

United Nations

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In July 2019, Tajikistan was one of 50 countries that supported China's policies in Xinjiang, signing a joint letter to the UNHRC commending China's "remarkable achievements in the field of human rights", claiming "Now safety and security has returned to Xinjiang and the fundamental human rights of people of all ethnic groups there are safeguarded.[11][12] Tajikistan was one of 16 countries that defended China in 2019 but did not do so in 2020.[13]

In June 2020, Tajikistan was one of 53 countries that supported the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations.[14]

Military and security cooperation

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Because it has a border with China's Xinjiang region, which contains numerous ethnic minorities, Tajikistan's political stability is critical to China.

The governments of China and Tajikistan collaborate on security and military training; this collaboration has become stronger since the 2001 United States invasion of Afghanistan. The two countries' militaries have conducted joint military exercises since 2006. In 2021 amid security concerns related to the 2021 Taliban offensive, Chinese Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi said that the military exercises would improve both countries' counterterrorism efforts.[15]

It is alleged that Chinese troops have been present in Tajikistan since approximately 2016, with the purpose of monitoring access to the Wakhan Corridor.[16] The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan denied that there are Chinese troops in Tajikistan.[16]

Culture and education

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Tajikistan has two Confucius Institutes.[4]: 156 

High-level visits

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Guest Host Place of visit Date of visit
Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon China President Xi Jinping Beijing May 19–21, 2013[17]
China Premier Li Keqiang Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon Dushanbe October 11–14, 2018
China President Xi Jinping Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon Dushanbe June 14–16, 2019.[18][19]
Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon China President Xi Jinping Xi'an, Beijing May 17–21, 2023[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Нашри мусоҳибаи Президенти Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон муҳтарам Эмомалӣ Раҳмон дар ВАО-и расмии Чин (Синхуа, CCTV, China News Service, Женьминь Жибао) | Президенти Тоҷикистон – President of Tajikistan – Президент Таджикистана – رئيس جمهورية تاجيكستان".
  2. ^ "China's influence grows in poor neighbour Tajikistan". Terra Daily News About Planet Earth. Agence France-Presse. 2012-06-26. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
  3. ^ "China Backs Tajikistan's Efforts to Preserve Stability". The Gazette of Central Asia. Satrapia. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  4. ^ a b Sun, Yi (2024). "Necessitated by Geopolitics: China's Economic and Cultural Initiatives in Central Asia". In Fang, Qiang; Li, Xiaobing (eds.). China under Xi Jinping: A New Assessment. Leiden University Press. ISBN 9789087284411. JSTOR jj.15136086.
  5. ^ Gizitdinov, Nariman (6 June 2023). "China Edging Out Russia as Sanctions Redraw Kazakhstan Trade". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  6. ^ Gerstl, Alfred (2023). "China in its Immediate Neighborhood". In Kironska, Kristina; Turscanyi, Richard Q. (eds.). Contemporary China: a New Superpower?. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-03-239508-1.
  7. ^ "Tajikistan Cedes Disputed Land to China". The Jamestown Foundation. 24 January 2011.
  8. ^ a b Fravel, M. Taylor (2005-10-01). "Regime Insecurity and International Cooperation: Explaining China's Compromises in Territorial Disputes". International Security. 30 (2): 46–83. doi:10.1162/016228805775124534. ISSN 0162-2889. S2CID 56347789.
  9. ^ "Tajikistan cedes land to China". BBC News. 13 January 2011.
  10. ^ "China's area increases by 1000 sq km". Times of India. 12 January 2011.
  11. ^ "Who cares about the Uyghurs". The Economist.
  12. ^ "Letter to UNHRC". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
  13. ^ Basu, Zachary (8 October 2020). "Mapped: More countries sign UN statement condemning China's mass detentions in Xinjiang". Axios. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  14. ^ Lawler, Dave (2 July 2020). "The 53 countries supporting China's crackdown on Hong Kong". Axios. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  15. ^ "China starts anti-terror drill with Tajikistan amid Afghan spillover worries". South China Morning Post. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  16. ^ a b Shih, Gerry; Troianovski, Anton; Wang, Yuan; Lamothe, Dan (February 18, 2019). "In Central Asia's forbidding highlands, a quiet newcomer: Chinese troops". The Washington Post. Near Shaymak, Moscow, Beijing and Washington.
  17. ^ "Tajikistan president visits China – China – Chinadaily.com.cn". covid-19.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  18. ^ "Chinese president arrives in Tajikistan for CICA summit, state visit – Xinhua | English.news.cn". Archived from the original on 14 June 2019.
  19. ^ "State visit of the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping to Tajikistan | Президенти Тоҷикистон – President of Tajikistan – Президент Таджикистана – رئيس جمهورية تاجيكستان".
  20. ^ 王颂. "Chinese, Tajik presidents hold talks, vow to boost cooperation". China Today. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
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