DUSHANBE - China and Tajikistan, in a joint declaration issued here on Saturday, agreed to further strengthen cooperation and exchanges between law enforcement, security and defense authorities of the two countries.

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon, signed the document on further developing and deepening China-Tajikistan strategic partnership after an in-depth exchange of opinions on bilateral, regional and global issues.

While reaffirming cooperation in cracking down on drug-trafficking and other transnational organized crimes, the two countries also vowed to jointly combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, which, they believe, continue to pose serious threats to the region's security and stability.

The two countries, the document said, support the efforts of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the fight against the "three evil forces."

The two sides agreed to maintain close communication and cooperation to bolster cyber security so that their national security wouldn't be threatened by cyber crimes.

They also pledged to strengthen cooperation in ensuring security of large-scale joint projects and major international events held in both countries, including jointly safeguarding the construction and operation of the Tajikistan segment of the Line D China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline.

The two countries will also boost exchange and cooperation in such fields as human resources training, technology and equipment, intelligence sharing and mutual-assistance in criminal investigation, as part of a joint response to the new threats and challenges to their development and security, the document said.

Reaffirming that a peaceful and stable Central Asia serves the common interests of all in the region, China and Tajikistan vowed to stand firm together against any attempt from external forces to interfere in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries and disrupt regional stability with any excuse and by any means.

The two countries pledged to keep close contact, jointly maintain peace and stability in the region, and promote cooperation and realization of a win-win situation among countries in the region.

Both China and Tajikistan are very concerned about the situation in Afghanistan, which are closely linked to regional security and stability, according to joint declaration.

China and Tajikistan also voiced support for a smooth completion of the Afghan presidential election process. The two sides reaffirm that it is important to accelerate the Afghan-led peaceful reconstruction in the country with the participation of the United Nations and all relevant parties, the joint declaration said.

The two sides called for full exertion of the role of SCO and other existing Afghanistan-related cooperation mechanisms, and joint efforts from regional countries in supporting Afghanistan in realizing peace, stability, independence and self-reliance.

The Tajik side supports China in hosting the fourth Afghanistan Istanbul Process Foreign Ministers' Meeting in north China's Tianjin City later this year, said the document.

The Chinese side lauded the contribution made by Tajikistan in solving the issue of Afghanistan and protecting regional security and stability.

The two sides will continue to work together and make joint efforts with other countries in the region on issue of Afghanistan reconstruction.

The two countries will adopt relevant approaches to strengthen border security and jointly prevent illegal trafficking in weapons, according to the joint declaration.

Xi is here for his first state visit to the Central Asian country after attending a SCO summit. Tajikistan is the first leg of Xi's ongoing four-nation Asia trip, which will also take him to Maldives, Sri Lanka and India.