Translated with AI
Special Envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Ding Xuexiang visited Turkmenistan from April 15 to 17, where he attended the ceremony to launch construction of the fourth phase of the Galkynysh gas field development, met with Turkmen leader and Chairman of the People's Council Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and co-chaired the seventh meeting of the China-Turkmen Cooperation Committee together with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov.
Ding Xuexiang, along with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 4 of the Galkynysh gas field development. He noted that the project's implementation reflects the high expectations of the two countries' leaders and the shared aspirations of the peoples of China and Turkmenistan, and will contribute to the further advancement of energy cooperation.
According to him, it is necessary to adhere to the principle of quality priority and build a model project, ensuring high construction standards; to pursue an innovative approach and create a benchmark project that can serve as a guide for the implementation of large-scale gas projects; to adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and develop a friendship project that will become a new symbol of Chinese-Turkmen friendship.
During his meetings with G. Berdimuhamedov and S. Berdimuhamedov, Ding Xuexiang conveyed the warm greetings of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the Turkmen leaders asked him to convey their sincere wishes for well-being to the Chinese leader.
Ding Xuexiang noted that under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, China-Turkmenistan relations have maintained dynamic and sustainable development, evolving from a friendly, cooperative partnership to a strategic partnership, and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He emphasized that mutual support is a key element of the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership. China consistently supports Turkmenistan in defending its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, supports Turkmenistan's policy of permanent neutrality, and remains a reliable partner for Turkmenistan. China also expressed hope that Turkmenistan will continue to provide firm support to China on issues affecting its core interests and major concerns.
Ding Xuexiang emphasized that cooperation in the gas sector is the cornerstone of Chinese-Turkmen relations and brings tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. The parties should take a strategic and long-term perspective, move toward each other, accelerate the implementation of major projects, seize favorable opportunities for cooperation, expand the scope of gas cooperation, and improve the quality of energy cooperation. He also noted the need to further enhance cooperation in non-commodity sectors such as connectivity, trade and investment, agriculture, and the digital economy, creating new growth areas for cooperation and jointly promoting cooperation in the "China-Central Asia" format for the common development and prosperity of the region.
G. Berdimuhamedov stated that Turkmenistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He noted Turkmenistan's readiness to continue strengthening political mutual trust, intensifying the integration of the "Revival of the Great Silk Road" strategy with the "Belt and Road" initiative, jointly advancing the implementation of the fourth phase of the Galkynysh gas field development project, consolidating the achieved results, and expanding new areas of cooperation in the gas sector.
S. Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to its comprehensive strategic partnership with China and is prepared to deepen its traditional friendship, prioritize cooperation in the gas sector, and expand practical cooperation in various fields. He praised the four global initiatives put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed his readiness to actively support the third China-Central Asia Summit.
During the seventh meeting of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee, Ding Xuexiang and R. Meredov held an in-depth exchange of views and outlined priorities for further cooperation. The parties agreed to strengthen high-level political leadership, deepen the alignment of development strategies, and advance the achievement of new results in comprehensive cooperation, contributing to the formation of a China-Turkmen community with a shared future. Ding Xuexiang and R. Meredov signed the General Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Turkmenistan on the Basic Principles of Cooperation in the Gas Sector, the Cooperation Program between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Turkmenistan for five years (2026-2030), and the Protocol of the Seventh Meeting of the China-Turkmen Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee. They also attended the signing of cooperation documents on the reciprocal opening of cultural centers, transportation and logistics, artificial intelligence, science and technology, and traditional medicine.
During the visit, Ding Xuexiang also attended the opening ceremony of the forum dedicated to the 20th anniversary of strategic cooperation between China and Turkmenistan in the gas sector, and the opening ceremony of the Lu Ban Workshop in Turkmenistan.
