Cooperation between the law enforcement and security departments of China and Tajikistan has promoted the stability of the two countries and the region, and the ongoing joint counter-terrorism drill will effectively deal with the threats both face, the Chinese minister of public security said.

Zhao Kezhi, state councilor and minister of Public Security, recently sent letters to Rakhimzoda Ramazon Hamro, Tajik minister of Internal Affairs, and Saimumin Yatimov, head of the State Committee for National Security to wish the drill success.

The joint drill, which runs from Wednesday to Thursday, is being held by the Ministry of Public Security of China and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.

Zhao said that China and Tajikistan are friendly neighbors, comprehensive strategic partners, and friends able to trust and rely on each other.

The strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Emomali Rahmon are the biggest political advantages and guarantees of strong relations between the two countries, Zhao said in the letter.

Over the years, Chinese and Tajik law enforcement and security departments have carried out fruitful cooperation in counter-terrorism and other fields, making important contributions to border security and regional stability, he said.

Due to the ever-changing international situation, the regional counter-terrorism situation is not optimistic, he said. The drill is intended to enhance the level of joint combat readiness among anti-terrorism forces in both countries, practice combat skills, demonstrate the determination of the two sides to fight terrorism and effectively deal with the terrorist threats they face.

The Chinese Ministry of Public Security is willing to work closely with the Tajik National Security Commission to strengthen cooperation on building border defense capacity and promote pragmatic cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to jointly safeguard the security of the two countries and the region, Zhao said.

Zhao promised to offer full support for Tajikistan in holding the SCO Summit in September, under the SCO security cooperation mechanism for major events. He also congratulated his Tajik counterparts on Tajikistan‘s upcoming Independence Day, on Sept 9.