Turkmenistan — China: on the path to strengthening friendship and cooperation Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV, President of Turkmenistan

Dear Chinese friends,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the leadership of the People’s Daily for the initiative to publish this article on the eve of the official visit of the Turkmen delegation to the People’s Republic of China. I gladly supported this proposal. The opportunity to directly address the multimillion audience of such a respected and influential publication will help readers better understand the essence of Turkmenistan–China relations and to assess both current and future joint efforts in the interests of our nations.

For more than 30 years, Turkmenistan and the People’s Republic of China, as independent states, have been developing their relations. In historical terms, this is a short period, but during this time we have achieved substantial and fruitful progress. We have established close political, trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation, ensured regular contacts at the highest level, and created a solid legal framework for interaction. A milestone event was the signing, in Ashgabat in September 2013, of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership between Turkmenistan and China. Later, in May 2014, further agreements were signed to deepen strategic partnership and adopt the Development Program for 2014–2018.

Our present achievements are inseparable from our shared centuries-old heritage. Historical sources and cultural monuments testify to long-standing political, trade, and cultural ties between Turkmens and Chinese. The Great Silk Road was the main condition for these interactions. Today, we see ourselves as heirs and successors of this tradition. In this regard, the philosophical and practical similarity between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Turkmenistan’s Great Silk Road Revival Strategy is clear.

Currently, Turkmen–Chinese interstate cooperation in the political sphere is characterized by trust, openness, and effectiveness. Meetings between our leaders are always substantive and serve as a responsible strategic dialogue. Our approaches to fundamental global issues are close or identical.

Both Turkmenistan and China firmly advocate for a stable and secure international system based on equality, mutual respect, justice, and recognition of multilateral interests. The UN Charter and international law serve as the foundation of this order. China’s consistent support for Turkmenistan’s neutrality is a vivid example of our diplomatic solidarity.

Today, Turkmen neutrality is an important factor in global and regional politics, contributing to peace, stability, and good neighborliness in Asia and the world at large. For its part, Turkmenistan consistently supports China on key issues such as unity, territorial integrity, and the fight against terrorism, extremism, and separatism.

Our countries share the conviction that developing nations should have a stronger voice in international affairs. Together, we advocate for fair solutions to issues of energy and food security, healthcare, and human rights. During the difficult years of the COVID-19 pandemic, China provided Turkmenistan with vital medicines and equipment. We remain deeply grateful for this assistance. The Chinese saying, “A true friend is known in adversity,” fully reflects the spirit of Turkmenistan–China relations.

Our partnership is also developing dynamically within regional formats, including the “Central Asia–China” framework. Turkmenistan actively and with interest participates in high-level meetings of multilateral organizations with China’s involvement, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Energy cooperation has become a flagship of our strategic partnership. The Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline, launched in 2009, is not only a channel for Turkmen gas supplies but also a symbol of fair, mutually beneficial, and stable energy security across Eurasia.

Transport interaction is also gaining increasing importance. The convergence of Turkmen and Chinese transport strategies enables the creation of interconnected East–West logistic corridors linking Asia and Europe.

We also attach great importance to investments, innovations, advanced technologies, and humanitarian cooperation. Education, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties further strengthen mutual trust and understanding between our nations.

Today, Turkmenistan and China are true friends, reliable partners, and like-minded states, working together to address the most important challenges of national and global development. I am confident that we will successfully achieve all our shared goals.