Li Qiang urges deeper security and intelligence cooperation with Tajikistan
China’s premier called for closer intelligence sharing and stronger protection for Chinese citizens amid concern about violence near Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for deeper security and intelligence cooperation with Tajikistan during talks with President Emomali Rahmon, Reuters reported on October 19. The appeal came after attacks in Tajikistan last year killed five Chinese nationals, sharpening concern about the safety of Chinese citizens there.
Li urged stronger law enforcement cooperation and more intelligence exchange and sharing, Reuters reported, citing China’s official Xinhua news agency. He called for joint action against what Beijing calls the ‘three evil forces’ — terrorism, separatism and extremism — and said he hoped Tajikistan would take ‘strong measures’ to protect Chinese citizens.
Why China is pressing Tajikistan on security
China shares a remote, mountainous border with Tajikistan and is a major investor in the country. Reuters reported that Tajik authorities said the attacks that killed five Chinese nationals were launched from neighbouring Afghanistan. Tajikistan has also warned of drug smugglers and illicit gold miners along that frontier.
Beijing has long feared that violence in Central Asia could spill into Xinjiang, Reuters reported. China says Uyghur militants were responsible for past attacks there. Human rights groups say China has repressed Uyghurs and curtailed their religious, cultural and linguistic rights; China denies abuses.
What Li Qiang’s Dushanbe talks covered
China’s foreign ministry said Li met Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda in Dushanbe on the afternoon of October 18. Its account described trade, investment, energy, infrastructure and cultural exchange alongside continued law enforcement and security cooperation. Reuters described Li’s separate talks with President Rahmon.
After the talks with Rasulzoda, the two sides witnessed the signing of documents covering infrastructure construction, education, anti-corruption and standardization, the ministry said. It was not immediately clear whether Tajikistan agreed to any new measures in response to the security appeal Reuters reported.
Li had travelled to Tajikistan after visiting Uzbekistan, Reuters reported. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also travelling to Uzbekistan. Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic with a secular government, has close ties to Russia, which maintains a military base there.
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Sources and context
- Wary of instability, China calls for deeper security cooperation with TajikistanReuters, republished by The Straits Times
- 李强同塔吉克斯坦总理拉苏尔佐达会谈Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.