May 16, 2026
Times of Central Asia - Rahmon Looks to China as Tajikistan’s Options Narrow
Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon just finished a state visit to China. Rahmon has made trips to China many times during the nearly 34 years he has been in power in Tajikistan, but this visit came during a critical period.
Simply put, Tajikistan is losing the international importance it once had, and China might now be the most dependable friend remaining for Rahmon and his country.
A ‘Sweet’ Start
China established diplomatic ties with all five Central Asian countries at the start of 1992. Just months later, a civil war broke out in Tajikistan that would last until June 1997, but that did not deter China from seeking investment opportunities in Tajikistan.
Read the full article on the Times of Central Asia.
Bruce Panniers is a Senior Fellow at the Turan Research Center.