Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov prior to a tree planting ceremony marking the 5th anniversary of the founding of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at a hotel in western Shanghai, east China on June 14, 2006. -Xinhua

Chinese President Hu Jintao told Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov in Shanghai yesterday that China is ready to be Tajikistan's good neighbor, good friend and good partner.

The two presidents met on the eve of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit slated for Thursday.

Hu hailed China-Tajikistan relations, saying that bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, transportation, telecommunication and business projects has yielded new results over the past year and the two countries have maintained coordination in regional and international affairs.

Hu expressed his appreciation of Tajikistan for the latter's support to China on the issues of Taiwan and the fight against "East Turkistan" terrorist force.

He said China will also support Tajikistan's efforts in safeguarding domestic stability and boosting national development.

"China is ready to join hands with Tajikistan to push bilateral ties forward, China and Tajikistan will be good neighbors, good friends and good partners forever," Hu said.

This year marks the 14th anniversary of the China-Tajikistan diplomatic ties.

Rakhmonov said the relations between Tajikistan and China have developed rapidly and the two are close neighbors, friends and reliable partners.

He said Tajikistan firmly abides by the one-China policy and supports China's efforts to realize national reunification.

On the upcoming SCO summit, Hu said he believes the meeting will enhance trust, consolidate unity and improve cooperation among SCO members, which include China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Hu emphasized anti-drug cooperation among SCO members, saying such cooperation is of significant importance in maintaining stability in the region.

In 2004, the six SCO members singed an anti-drug cooperation agreement in Tashkent summit.

Rakhmonov said Tajikistan is ready to enhance cooperation with China in fighting drug trafficking and the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism.