Tajikistan's prized black cherries, reputed for their juicy flesh and robust flavor, have found steady demand in Chinese homes over the past decade, driven by their exceptional quality and competitive pricing.
The Central Asian nation's temperate continental climate, characterized by significant day-night temperature fluctuations and ample snow-capped mountains ensuring abundant water supply, provides ideal conditions for the thriving cultivation of Tajik cherries.
The "Black Cherry" variety stands out among Tajikistan's offerings, renowned for its large, plump fruits bursting with sweetness.
Tajikistan's relations with neighboring China have been put under the spotlight as Chinese President Xi Jinping is to pay a state visit to Tajikistan later this week following his state visit to Kazakhstan and attendance of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the Kazakh capital city of Astana.
Fruit grower Khursandmurad Tursunzoda, who oversees a 12-hectare orchard in the Gissar Mountains, has been dedicated to cultivating prized cherries.
"I have over 3,000 trees in my orchard, planted 12 years ago. During this season, we prune the branches and clear the weeds around the trees. If you want a good harvest, you must respect the trees, because they too are living beings observing how you treat them. If you care for them well, you will reap a bountiful harvest," said Tursunzoda, the cherry orchard owner.
Tursunzoda, who comes from a long line of fruit growers, has been passionately imparting his cherry-growing expertise to younger generations, stressing respect for trees and meticulous harvesting practices.
"From childhood, I involve them (children) in the work. I explain how to care for the trees and how to harvest. For example, I insist they pick cherries with the stem attached, which helps the cherries stay fresh longer," said Tursunzoda.
He proudly refers to his orchard as an "ecological orchard," highlighting its use of natural fertilizers, contributing to increased cherry yields and sales annually.
"Every evening, wholesalers gather at the orchard for a lively auction. Recently, I learned that one of my wholesalers exports our cherries to our neighbor, China. I'm delighted that connoisseurs of our cherries can enjoy them across the border in China," said Tursunzoda.
Official data confirms Tajikistan exported over 30 tons of cherries to China in 2023, transported via regular flights from Tajikistan's capital city of Dushanbe to Urumqi in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
"Over the past week, we've shipped three batches of cherries to China already. Today, another ton of these cherries is en route. Packed conveniently in boxes designed to hold three kilograms of cherries for convenient handling, our cherries are now in high demand among our neighbors," said Natan Mamedov, an entrepreneur.
Tajikistan's prized black cherries find favor in Chinese markets
Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Friday jointly met the press after holding talks in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe.
Xi, whose last state visit to Tajikistan came five years ago, said he once again felt the enduring brotherly friendship between the Chinese and Tajik people upon his return to the Central Asian country.
Xi hailed his talks with Rahmon as fruitful and rich in content, saying they signed a joint statement on the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, made a joint decision to build a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future defined by lasting friendship, sharing weal and woe, mutual benefits and win-win results from a higher starting point, and witnessed the exchange of more than 20 cooperation documents in various fields, which gives a new characterization to the bilateral ties and has opened up new prospects for bilateral cooperation.
Xi awarded Rahmon with the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China for his outstanding contribution to bilateral ties, which was the first time the award has been presented outside of China, fully demonstrating the deep friendship of the Chinese people to President Rahmon and the people of Tajikistan.
Xi said the two sides will, as always, firmly advance friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation, firmly support each other in pursuing a development path suited to their national conditions, and safeguard their respective national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
No matter how the international situation changes, China will always be a trustworthy friend, reliable partner and close brother to Tajikistan, Xi added.
Xi said the two sides have agreed to focus on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, comprehensively promote the synergy of development strategies of the two countries, and help each other's modernization drive.
China is ready to import more quality products from Tajikistan and continuously upgrade the quality and scale of China-Tajikistan economic and trade cooperation, said Xi.
He said the two countries have agreed to continue to deepen connectivity cooperation and support Tajikistan in tapping more potential in boosting transit transport.
China and Tajikistan will also deepen cooperation in various fields including mineral resources, agriculture, new energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and will enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation to consolidate popular support for their lasting friendship, Xi said, adding that support will be provided for more exchanges between the two countries' youths, media outlets, and think tanks, as well as in women's affairs and tourism.
Xi pointed out that China and Tajikistan are determined to further strengthen security cooperation to jointly crack down on the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and will work to maintain border security, unequivocally oppose third-party interference in the internal affairs of the two countries, and jointly safeguard regional security and stability.
The two sides will continue to strengthen communication and coordination on the Afghan issue, jointly participate in the cooperation of Afghanistan-related mechanisms, encourage the Afghan interim government to build inclusive governance, focus on development and improve people's livelihood, resolutely fight terrorism and crimes, and pursue friendship with neighboring countries, Xi said.
Both sides spoke highly of the achievements of China-Central Asia cooperation and are willing to continuously improve and strengthen the China-Central Asia mechanism, Xi said, adding that China has taken over the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and welcomes Rahmon to attend the SCO summit in China next year and discuss plans for the future development of the organization.
Stressing the importance of strengthening solidarity and cooperation for the international community, Xi said China advocates an equal and orderly world multipolarity and economic globalization that benefits all, and is ready to work with Tajikistan to actively implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, so as to contribute to the cause of world peace and development.
For his part, Rahmon said Xi's state visit to Tajikistan is an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations, which will inject strong new impetus into the development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Tajikistan and China in the new era.
China and Tajikistan have been good neighbors and their bilateral relations have always been based on mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support, Rahmon said, adding that he and Xi are satisfied with the high-level development of bilateral ties and the fruitful results from bilateral cooperation, and have reached new consensus on the future development of China-Tajikistan relations.
The Tajik president said the documents signed on Friday will strengthen practical cooperation in various fields between the two countries, adding that his country welcomes more Chinese investment to help accelerate Tajikistan's industrialization and modernization process.
Tajikistan is willing to strengthen security cooperation with China to fight terrorism, separatism and extremism and safeguard the common security of the two countries, Rahmon said.
Tajikistan is also willing to maintain close communication and cooperation with China within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Central Asia mechanism, so as to make positive contributions to regional peace and stability, he said.
Xi, Tajik president jointly meet press in Dushanbe
Xi, Tajik president jointly meet press in Dushanbe
