DUSHANBE - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with his Tajik counterpart, Akil Akilov, on Thursday on ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Wen congratulated Tajikistan for its successful hosting of the ninth Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) prime ministers' meeting, expecting the two countries will continue coordination and work together with other SCO member countries to carry out consensus reached and push the SCO for further growth.

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Wen said the development of relations between China and Tajikistan has maintained a good momentum in recent years and brought real benefits to the two peoples.

He noted that China attaches great importance to cooperation with Tajikistan in such fields as transportation, electricity, and infrastructure, hoping the two sides will strengthen coordination and effectively implement China's aid projects in Tajikistan.

He also hoped that the two sides will actively conduct cooperation in mining and agriculture sectors, and expand exchanges in culture, press and between youths.

The Chinese premier expressed his belief that through joint efforts, the relations of good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between China and Tajikistan will be expanded and deepened.

Akilov said the current relationship between Tajikistan and China is growing well and swiftly and the smooth implementation of major cooperation projects plays an important role in helping improve the livelihood of the Tajik people.

Akilov said Wen's successful visit to Tajikistan further boosted the friendly cooperation between the two countries.

He said his country welcomes more Chinese enterprises to establish businesses and invest in Tajikistan, especially in the fields of mineral resources, agriculture and transportation.

After their talks, the two leaders signed a joint communique and witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements in agriculture, finance, electricity and transportation.