Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.

Xi congratulated Tajikistan on the 35th anniversary of its independence and on the major achievements of its national development. He noted that steadfast mutual support is the defining feature of China-Tajikistan relations.

No matter how the external environment evolves, China and Tajikistan will remain good neighbors looking out for each other, good friends sharing candor and mutual trust, and good partners pursuing joint development, Xi said.

He added that China stands ready to work with Tajikistan to build an even closer China-Tajikistan community with a shared future and deliver greater benefits to the people of the two countries.

Before the talks, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Rahmon at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.