China's Xi Pledges Support For Tajikistan's 'Territorial Integrity'.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 5 promised to defend the "territorial integrity" of Tajikistan as he announced a boost to diplomatic relations with the neighboring country on a rare visit. Xi arrived in Dushanbe from Kazakhstan following a gathering of leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, during which he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged the bloc to "resist external interference." Central Asia is a vital link in China's flagship Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure project Beijing has used to expand its clout overseas, but which critics say has left developing countries saddled with onerous loans. "China will continue to unswervingly promote friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with Tajikistan...firmly support Tajikistan's efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," Xi told Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon, according to state broadcaster CCTV.