URUMQI (Xinhua) – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said that China will firmly supports Tajikistan’s efforts to preserve national security and stability as he met with visiting Prime Minister of Tajikistan Akil Akilov (عاقل عاقلوف).

Wen Jiabao

“China and Tajikistan are neighbours and friends that trust each other,” Wen said during their meeting, adding that China is willing to “sincerely” help Tajikistan in economic development and expand cooperation with the middle Asian country in electricity power, transport, resources and agriculture to benefit the people of the two nations.

For his part, Akilov thanked the Chinese side for support Tajikistan’s efforts in safeguarding sovereignty and improving economy. Akilov said he believes that the relationship between Tajikistan and China will become even closer and more fruitful. He added his country welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Tajikistan and pledged to create favourable environments for Chinese investment.

Earlier on Sunday, Wen, Akilov and some other leaders attended the opening ceremony of the second China-Eurasia Expo held in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China. The China-Eurasia Expo was upgraded from a regional trade fair, the 19-year-old China Urumqi Foreign Economic Relations and Trade Fair, in September 2011 when the first expo was held.