President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping congratulated President Emomali Rahmon on the latter’s 70th birthday.

The message reads, in part:

“Dear Mr. President, Dear old friend!

On the occasion of your 70th birthday, let me express to you my sincere congratulations and best wishes.

Under your leadership, Mr. President, Tajikistan has opened the way for development, taking into account its national conditions, and has achieved great success in state building. As a friendly neighbor and all-round strategic partner, China is sincerely happy about this.

Sino-Tajik relations always maintain a good momentum of development. Since the beginning of this year, while maintaining close cooperation with you, we have exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest in order to bring Chinese-Tajik relations to a new stage.

I attach great importance to and cherish the development of the relations between our states, as well as our close personal friendship. Emphasizing the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, i am ready to put joint effort with you to promote all-round cooperation between China and Tajikistan in various fields for the benefit of the two countries and their people,” the text of the congratulatory telegram says.V