At noon on October 18, 2026, local time, at the invitation of Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang arrived at Dushanbe International Airport by chartered plane to begin an official visit to Tajikistan and attend the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong and other accompanying officials arrived on the same plane.

Kokhir Rasulzoda and senior government officials greeted Li Qiang at the airport and held a welcome ceremony in his honor. Accompanied by Kokhir Rasulzoda, Li Qiang reviewed the guard of honor. Chinese Ambassador to Tajikistan Guo Zhijun was also present to greet Li Qiang at the airport.

Li Qiang stated that China and Tajikistan are good neighbors, good friends, and good partners. Bilateral relations have developed rapidly in recent years, with fruitful cooperation across various fields that brings tangible benefits to the people of both countries. In May this year, the two heads of state held a meeting in Beijing and drew up a blueprint for deepening China-Tajikistan relations. China is ready to work with Tajikistan to carry forward their traditional friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly promote the development and prosperity of the two countries, and better benefit the people of both nations.

Li Qiang noted that China looks forward to working with all parties of the SCO to implement the outcomes of the Bishkek summit, ensure the complete success of the upcoming SCO prime ministers’ meeting, promote cooperation in various fields to achieve new progress, and bring benefits to the people of all countries in the region.

Li Qiang traveled to Dushanbe after concluding his official visit to Uzbekistan. As he departed Tashkent, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan Yu Jun, and others saw him off at the airport.