Tajik President Emomali Rahmon yesterday gave an informal banquet for visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his wife, according to the Tajik president’s official website.

Tajik leader chose Dushanbe's Boghi Iram Park to host the informal banquet for Chinese premier and his wife.

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Li Keqiang arrived in Dushanbe yesterday on an official visit and to participate in the 17th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG).

According to China’s media reports, it is Li's first visit to Tajikistan.

On the official visit, Chinese official is expected to discuss with Tajik leaders on development of bilateral ties under new circumstances, cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as important international and regional issues.  Documents on trade, customs and local cooperation are expected to be signed.   

Li Keqiang (born July 1, 1955) is the current Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.  An economist by training, Li is China's head of government as well as one of the leading figures behind China's Financial and Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, National Security and Deepening Reforms.  He is also the second-ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, the de facto top decision-making body of the country.  Li was named the World's 12th Most Powerful Person by the Forbes list of The World's Most Powerful People in 2015 and 2016.