President of Turkmenistan Meets with President of People’s Republic of China in Astana

During his working trip to Kazakhstan, the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, met with the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, also visiting Astana.

The leaders of the two countries noted the progressive development of the Turkmenistan–China dialog. The heads of Turkmenistan and China exchanged opinions on key areas of the strategic partnership, and reiterated that the sides are ready to enhance the economic partnership with regard to its vast potential, national interests and the shared vision about the future of the Asian region.

Speaking of the pressing aspects of the regional and international politics that are of mutual interest, the Presidents of Turkmenistan and China expressed unconditional reciprocal support for the important international initiatives promoted by the two countries to create a solid base for the conflict-free global development in the 21st century; to strengthen the relations of friendship and mutual understanding between peoples and countries.

The practice of traditional interstate cooperation showed that the vast potential and complementarity of the national economies allow our countries to develop the partnership over a wide range of areas including commercial and economic sectors; transport; communication; textile and chemical industries; construction.

The natural gas cooperation was named the important component of collaboration in the energy sector. Successful implementation of the grandiose project of the 21st century, the construction of the Turkmenistan–China pipeline, that is now ensuring the long-term supplies of Turkmenistan’s “blue fuel” to the People’s Republic of China, is a shining symbol of the mutually beneficial relations.

The President of PRC, Xi Jinping, stressed that today China is the principal partner for Turkmenistan in the sphere of energy, and commended the high level of the long-term cooperation achieved in the gas industry. He also noted the considerable potential for cooperation in the transport sector, and identified the Turkmenistan–Kazakhstan–China railway as a very promising route.

Dwelling on the issue, the sides noted the gained experience in working together in the sphere of railway transport. Moreover, they stressed the need for strengthening collaboration in the sphere of transport logistics to improve the functioning of the transit corridors connecting China with Europe, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions through Turkmenistan. 
The sides exchanged view on the prospects of expanding the interstate partnership. In this context President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed that Turkmenistan views our involvement in the International Exhibition EXPO–2017 in Astana as a kind message in the name of global progress and prosperity.

The bilateral cultural and humanitarian relations, specifically in the area of education, bbhave been developing intensively in the recent years. Today, hundreds of students from Turkmenistan are obtaining higher education in China.

Fruitful contacts between Turkmenistan and China have been established in sports. One of China’s largest provinces, Hubei’s, hosting the presentation on the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and the horse race in April 2017 is an example to that.

The heads of the two states exchanged mutual kind wishes and expressed confidence in the continued steady enhancement of the productive dialog that fully corresponds with the state interests and priorities of the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan and China.