An interview with Rashid Alimov, the ambassador of Tajikistan to China

Mr. Rashid Alimov, the Ambassador of Tajikistan to China (C)

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Hello, every one. Welcome to the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and our special series of interviews entitled "China through the Eyes of Foreigners". Today, we are honored to have Mr. Rashid Alimov, the Ambassador of Tajikistan to China. Mr. Ambassador, please say a few words on behalf of the Tajikistan embassy.

Rashid Alimov: First of all, I want to say thanks to the official website of the 2008 Olympic Games and to Sohu for inviting me here. Your website getting more and more popular as the Olympic Games draw nearer. So today, it's my honor to be here.

Host: Let's get to today's interview. Mr. Ambassador, before your appointment here, had you and your family been to China? What impression did China and its people give you then?

Rashid Alimov: Thanks. That's a good question. My first visit to China was in 1993, when I was a member of the national delegation of Tajikistan. Our leader was (and is still) the president of Tajikistan. It was his first official visit to another country after inauguration and he chose to visit our great neighbor -- China. This year we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the signing of the "Joint declaration of bilateral relations between China and Tajikistan." It's been 15 years since my first visit, but the impression China left on me was very deep. In 1993, China had made tremendous progress through its reform and open door policy. To me, China was not just our neighbor but also our friend. In fifteen years, the bilateral relations between our countries have become a strategic partnership.

Host: My second question. 2008 is not only the year of the Olympics, but also the 30th anniversary of China's economic reform and open door policy. As a veteran diplomat, Mr. Ambassador, how do you personally feel about the way China has changed?

Rashid Alimov: This question is a little bit general and it's hard for me to give you a brief answer. I think the fact that China was chosen by so many countries in the world to host the Olympics affirms the choices China has made in its development and shows that China has become significant in the international arena in a short time. Also, it proves that the economic reform and open door policy has not just been beneficial to China but has had an impact in the international community. I'm often asked which changes have been most remarkable in China in the last thirty years. I can only speak for the time since my first visit here, which was 15 years ago. I usually answer: put aside history and the past, change happens everyday. Just look at our diplomatic quarters, we've seen such big changes. Beijing has become a large construction site. People may not always notice the construction, particularly if it doesn't affect their transportation or work; then one day, a new building will be complete. A new hotel, or a restaurant, or a new sports facility.

My current stay in Beijing started two years ago. I think I am very lucky because Beijing's biggest and most important buildings and venues have been built during this time. To be able to see these successes is a happy thing. Our life here is very meaningful -- everyday you experience something new. Of course, the most important thing is that we're about to host the world's most meaningful athletic event.

Host: It is known that Tajikistan has been a friendly neighbor of China for years. During these decades, your country also had many dramatic changes. Has China's reform and opening up benefited your country? Can you give us some specific examples of this? From the start of preparation until now, how has your country been affected by the Beijing Olympic Games?

It's an interesting question. Firstly, Tajikistan has deservedly gained its international status in recent years. This year is the 17th anniversary of its independence; China was one of the earliest countries to recognize Tajikistan's independence. In the past decades, our two countries have established a solid foundation on legislation and signed 105 treaties, the most important one of which was the "treaty of friendly cooperation between neighbors China and Tajikistan." The chief designers of our friendship are the leaders of our two countries. They meet once a year or sometimes twice a year and last year the president of Tajikistan made an official visit to China.

You asked me just now how our country has benefited from China. I can give some specific numbers. In 1997 the trade volume between our two countries was only 20 million US dollars. Ten years later this number has reached 524 billion US dollars. That's a 2400 percentage increase in just ten years. In 1997 we only issued 13 visas to Chinese citizens wanting to go to Tajikistan. By the end of 2007, we had issued 4007.

These days many big Chinese companies are involved in important state-level projects in Tajikistan, especially infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges and high-voltage wiring. We enhanced our cooperation in the telecommunications sectors and many Chinese business are doing investments in Tajikistan.

Six years ago, a port was built at the border between Tajikistan and China, connecting the two countries by bridge. Four years ago, the trade volume on the bridge was only two million US dollars; by the end of last year it was around 250 million US dollars. That's a 1240 percent increase.

Our countries have founded many joint ventures, such as telecommunication and mining companies. All these show how much our relations have changed. We no longer have any problems because we resolved our historical border issues. If I was asked to summarize the relations between China and Tajikistan, I'd say "blooming and fruitful."