DUSHANBE foakleys commit sq, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Tajikistan cherishes China's support and recognizes that it has greatly boosted the country's socio-economic development, top Tajik leaders said here Wednesday when meeting with a Chinese military official.

During a meeting with Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Tajik Prime Minister Akil Akilov said bilateral relations have witnessed sound and steady development in recent years and that the Tajik side is satisfied with the results of bilateral cooperation in all fields.

As Tajikistan's good neighbor, China has greatly assisted the Central Asian country in its socio-economic development and has helped improve its people's livelihood and defense readiness, Akilov said.

At a separate meeting, Tajik Lower House Speaker Shukurjon Zuhurov told Chen that Tajikistan values the good neighborly ties and its cooperation with China and sees the development of relations with China as a priority of its diplomacy.

The ongoing state visit by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in China will surely open a new chapter for bilateral ties foakleys bottlecap, Zuhurov said.

Chen also praised bilateral ties on both occasions and noted that the military ties have been an important part of bilateral relations between the two countries.

China is willing to work with the Tajik side to push forward bilateral military cooperation, Chen said.