On 15 April, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, held a meeting with Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, who had arrived on a visit at the behest of Chinese President Xi Jinping. This was reported by the state news agency TDH.

The parties noted the high level of Turkmen-Chinese cooperation and discussed its current state and prospects. The role of high-level visits in strengthening the strategic partnership was emphasised.

It was noted that the countries coordinate their positions on the international stage, including cooperation within the UN and the ‘Central Asia–China’ framework, and support each other’s initiatives.

The focus is on developing cooperation in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, fuel-energy, transport-logistics and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

The fuel and energy sector was highlighted separately. Projects to supply Turkmen gas to China are continuing, including the development of the next phase of the ‘Galkynysh’ field in partnership with CNPC.

The prospects for cooperation within the framework of linking the ‘Revival of the Great Silk Road’ initiative with the ‘Belt and Road’ project were also discussed, as well as the development of cooperation in industry, agriculture and high technology.

The Turkmen side confirmed its readiness to further expand the partnership.

Following the meeting, the parties expressed confidence in the further strengthening of Turkmen-Chinese relations.