Key facts
- China fears instability in Central Asia could spill over into its Xinjiang region.
- China uses the term 'three evil forces' for terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
- Five Chinese nationals were killed in Tajikistan in attacks late last year.
- Tajikistan has tense relations with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan.
China's Premier Li Qiang urged Tajikistan on Monday to deepen security and intelligence cooperation to combat what Beijing views as extremism and separatism, and to take strong measures to protect Chinese citizens. Beijing has long feared that violence in Central Asia could spill over into its Xinjiang region, home to the mostly Muslim Uyghur people. Li met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, emphasizing the need for strengthened law enforcement, security, and intelligence exchanges. The two nations agreed to jointly combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism to safeguard regional peace and stability. Human rights groups accuse China of severe repression in Xinjiang, which China denies. Li's visit to Tajikistan follows a trip to Uzbekistan, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also traveled this week. China is a significant investor in Tajikistan, sharing a border with the Central Asian nation. Late last year, five Chinese nationals were killed in Tajikistan in attacks authorities attributed to militants from neighboring Afghanistan. Tajikistan, which endured a civil war in the 1990s, maintains tense relations with the Taliban.