Turkmenistan, China Explore Future Partnership Prospects in High-Level Meeting

During his official visit to China, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has met with Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party’s Political Bureau and First Vice Premier of the State Council, to discuss the current state, strategic importance, and future prospects of bilateral cooperation.

At the start of the meeting, Ding Xuexiang highlighted the importance of President Berdimuhamedov’s visit, describing it as a landmark event that will provide a new impetus to strengthen the traditionally friendly ties between the two nations, The Caspian Post reports via Turkmen media.

He also underscored the growing trade and economic partnership, as well as the active cultural, humanitarian, and political dialogue between Turkmenistan and China.

The discussion focused in particular on energy collaboration. President Berdimuhamedov praised the work of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and highlighted the successful operation of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline since 2009.

In the transport and logistics sector, both sides emphasized the importance of developing a Trans-Caspian logistics route. President Berdimuhamedov invited Chinese partners to engage in dialogue on creating a sustainable Turkmenistan-China transport and logistics corridor, passing through Central Asia and the Caspian Sea toward Western markets. The Turkmen side expressed readiness to expand cooperation in railway transport, including modernization of the national railway system and procurement of new equipment from China. To boost mutual trade, Turkmenistan proposed increasing exports of textiles, chemical products, agro-industrial goods, and petroleum products to China.

The leaders also discussed prospects for expanding cultural and humanitarian ties. President Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmen students are successfully studying at Chinese universities, while Chinese language programs are offered at several Turkmen educational institutions. Both sides expressed the intention to deepen collaboration in science, education, and culture.

High technology and artificial intelligence were highlighted as key areas for future cooperation. President Berdimuhamedov proposed leveraging the resources of the International Scientific-Technological Park of the Turkmen Academy of Science, the Oguzhan Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan, and the Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics of Turkmenistan to support joint innovation and AI initiatives.