bilateral relations. The two sides agreed to strengthen the work of trade and economic cooperation commission between the two governments, further upgrade trade mix, promote economic and technical cooperation, improve trade and investment environment and expand cooperation in transportation, communications, mining and reprocessing, agriculture and infrastructure construction on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

11. The two sides will continue to explore the cooperation potential in road transport and cross-border transport, enhance the transfer capacity of border passes, and provide facilitation to each other in road, railway and air transport. The two sides will adopt policies to encourage border trade based on equality and mutual benefit and promote practical cooperation in the border areas.

12. The two sides will facilitate investment and trade activities in each other's country and economic and technical cooperation in accordance with their respective laws, and protect the safety of life and property and legitimate rights and interests of each other's nationals.

13. The two sides will expand exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, science and technology, media, tourism, sports, health, social security and other fields and support the exchanges and cooperation between institutions of higher learning, scientific research institutions, and friendship organizations for youth and the general public.

14. The two sides held that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has maintained a good momentum of growth. As an important platform for deepening good-neighborly relationship among member states on the basis of mutual trust and mutual benefit, it is playing an important constructive role in promoting stability in Central Asia and the common development of member states. The two sides will continue to make concerted efforts to constantly deepen practical cooperation in security, economic affairs and people-to-people and cultural exchanges under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

15. The two sides stressed that Central Asian countries have unique historical and cultural traditions. The international community should respect the development path independently chosen by the people in Central Asian countries in keeping with their national conditions. Stability and security, steady economic growth and social progress conform to the common aspiration and serve the fundamental interests of all the people in the region. China applauded the efforts of the Tajik side in promoting security, stability and development in Central Asia.

16. The two sides pointed out that China and Tajikistan have common or similar positions on a number of major international and regional issues and expressed their resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations. The two sides will strictly abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other universally recognized norms of international law and establish a new security structure featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination. The two sides held that international disputes should be settled through peaceful means, that the United Nations should play a leading role in upholding world peace and security, and that diversity in world civilizations and in development models should be respected in order to build a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity.

17. President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China expressed appreciation to President Emomali Rahmon and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for the warm hospitality accorded to the Chinese delegation, and extended an invitation to President Emomali Rahmon for an official goodwill visit to China. President Rahmon accepted the invitation with pleasure. The date of the visit will be discussed through diplomatic channel.

Hu Jintao Emomali Rahmon

President of the People's President of the Republic

Republic of China of Tajikistan

(http://www.fmprc.gov.cn)