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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000687 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O.12985: 02/26/2028 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ENRG EDEV PINR PBTS TI CH
SUBJECT: PRC-Tajikistan: China Displacing Russia, No 
Outstanding Border Issues Remain, Says Tajikistan 
Embassy (C-RE8-00054) 
 
Classified by Political Minister Counselor Aubrey 
Carlson.  Reasons 1.4 (b/d). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  According to a diplomat at the 
Tajikistan Embassy, Tajikistan increasingly tilts 
toward China, which it regards as the best hope in the 
region for a patron, supplanting Russia's historical 
role.  PRC-funded economic development projects 
(primarily infrastructure investment) further 
commercial links and win over ordinary citizens, who 
suffer from an energy crisis and chronic 
underdevelopment.  Chinese "soft power" and security- 
related training for Tajikistan officials also 
contribute to better ties.  The Shanghai Cooperation 
Organization (SCO) fails to provide a framework for 
increasing regional economic activity, given its 
continuing focus on political and security matters. 
The SCO's lack of economic focus disappoints 
Tajikistan and contrasts with growing bilateral 
economic ties with China.  A 2002 agreement with China 
ending the border dispute was comprehensive, and no 
outstanding border issues remain, the diplomat 
claimed.  End Summary. 
 
Russia Losing Influence to China 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) Tajikistan Embassy Political Minister Counselor 
Likoev Mahmadali told PolOff February 15 that in the 
last few years China has shown a strong and growing 
interest in fostering Tajikistan's economic 
development, in contrast to Russia's almost exclusive 
focus on security in relations with the smaller 
countries of Central Asia.  Mahmadali indicated 
Russia's approach appears self-serving to many in 
Tajikistan, who believe Russia takes for granted its 
historical ties with the country.  China's focus on 
highly visible economic activity with smaller 
neighbors addresses the problems that ordinary 
Tajikistan citizens face.  The Chinese strategy, 
Mahmadali said, has effectively ensured cooperation on 
security and increased China's long-term influence 
among ordinary citizens and leaders. 
 
Infrastructure Investment 
------------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) Chinese infrastructure development projects in 
Tajikistan include highways, hydroelectric power and 
electricity transmission lines, for which private 
investment plays an important part.  Mahmadali 
indicated that because this private investment is the 
result of official prodding from Beijing, Tajikistan 
regards it as a form of foreign assistance.  In 
addition to upgrading Tajikistan's domestic power 
transmission system, Chinese investors plan a project 
to connect the Tajikistan power grid to Afghanistan, 
according to Mahmadali.  Also, China completed a road 
in 2006 that connects Dushanbe to Xinjiang through the 
Pamir Mountains, which not only develops the economy 
but facilitates other Chinese projects in Tajikistan. 
 
"Soft Power" and Humanitarian Assistance 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) China's global "soft power" enterprise is 
manifested in Tajikistan through growing cultural and 
educational programs, law enforcement cooperation and 
scientific exchanges, Mahmadali said.  China provided 
a USD 4-million grant to the Tajikistan counter- 
narcotics agency in Dushanbe, and has brought law 
enforcement officials to Beijing for counter-terrorism 
training.  China also offered humanitarian aid during 
Tajikistan's recent energy crisis, specifically by 
repairing roads between the two countries, a pledge 
made despite China's own snowstorm crisis.  China so 
far has not made good on this pledge, Mahmadali said, 
lauding U.S. assistance as the first on the scene and 
well-targeted to meet the needs of victims.  He stated 
that one reason for the slow Chinese response is that 
Chinese assistance to Tajikistan is generally long- 
term in nature and not geared toward emergency 
response. 
 
SCO Focus All Political/Security 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) Mahmadali said that Tajikistan's participation 
in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is 
essential to its efforts to cultivate relations with 
 
BEIJING 00000687  002 OF 002 
 
¶6. (C) Mahmadali said that PRC-Tajikistan relations 
improved after the 2002 agreement to settle a long- 
standing territorial dispute.  He volunteered that the 
agreement has been successfully implemented and no 
outstanding territorial claims remain on either side. 
 
Bio Note 
-------- 
 
¶7. (C) Mahmadali is an experienced diplomat but a 
newcomer to China.  He spent his early career in the 
Soviet Foreign Ministry as an Arabist, including a 
tour at the Soviet embassy in Baghdad, where he claims 
to have interpreted for visiting Soviet officials in 
their meetings with Saddam Hussein.  His current tour 
was preceded by an assignment as a Political Counselor 
at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretariat 
in Beijing. 
RANDT