Dushanbe, 1 August: Today, 105 vehicles, including 80 buses, five garbage trucks as well as 20 executive cars for holding the SCO [Shanghai Cooperation Organization] summit, were presented to Tajikistan on behalf of the Chinese government.

The Tajik minister of economic development and trade, Ghulomjon Bobozoda, said that a part of vehicles was meant for the town of Dushanbe, and a part would be distributed between the country's regions.

He also said that Tajikistan has a high opinion about constant support of the Chinese government and its efforts aimed at developing the national economy and resolution of social problems [in Tajikistan].

"Tajik people are grateful for no-strings aid that China has been giving to Tajikistan over several years in the past," the minister of economic development and trade said.

[Passage omitted: the minister continues expressing gratitude of Tajik people for this assistance]

Originally published by Asia-Plus news agency website, Dushanbe, in Russian 1 Aug 08.

(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring Central Asia. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.

Story Source: BBC Monitoring Central Asia