On 2 September 2025, an official meeting took place in Beijing between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, marking a significant milestone in strengthening Turkmen-Chinese relations. During the talks, the leaders discussed prospects for deepening strategic partnerships in key areas, including politics, economy, energy, transport, culture, and education. Special attention was paid to successful cooperation within international and regional organizations, as well as issues of global and regional stability.
The meeting highlighted the alignment of Turkmenistan and China’s positions on many international issues, including support for Turkmenistan’s neutrality and initiatives aimed at achieving peace and trust.
As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted, each meeting between the leaders of Turkmenistan and China represents a significant step in cooperation, providing an excellent opportunity to exchange views on the current state of bilateral relations, outline prospects for their development, and discuss pressing issues on the international agenda.
Political Track
Chairman Xi Jinping emphasized that China supports Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated that Turkmenistan highly values its strategic partnership with China, which positively influences cooperation in political sphere, economy, culture, science, and education.
The views of China and Turkmenistan on key international policy issues are closely aligned or identical, rooted in a shared aspiration for lasting peace, stability, and security in Central Asia, the Asia-Pacific region, and the world at large. Turkmenistan and China constructively cooperate within international organizations, particularly the United Nations. Turkmenistan greatly appreciates China’s support for its neutrality and its co-authorship of several UN General Assembly resolutions proposed by Turkmenistan.
President Berdimuhamedov noted Turkmenistan’s support for the Global Governance Initiative put forward by Chairman Xi Jinping at the SCO Summit, emphasizing its alignment with Turkmenistan’s positions on international relations.
He also highlighted China’s significant role in the adoption of the historic UN General Assembly Resolution on the “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan.”
Today, Turkmenistan and China share a common vision of global order. Chairman Xi’s concept of a “Community with a Shared Future for Mankind” resonates with Turkmenistan’s philosophy of peace and trust.
Noting that 2025 was declared the “International Year of Peace and Trust” by the UN General Assembly at Turkmenistan’s initiative, President Berdimuhamedov invited Chairman Xi Jinping to the International Forum for Peace and Trust, scheduled to take place in Ashgabat on 12 December.
Expressing gratitude for the invitation, Xi Jinping underscored that China respects Turkmenistan’s legal status of neutrality and supports its peacekeeping foreign policy.
Gas Cooperation
As emphasized during the meeting, China is a key foreign economic partner for Turkmenistan, with the gas sector being a strategic area of bilateral economic cooperation.
The Turkmenistan-China transnational gas pipeline has been operational for over 15 years, and both countries are currently working to expand cooperation in this sphere.
President Berdimuhamedov announced that the Chinese side won an international tender for the development of the fourth phase of the giant Galkynysh gas field, congratulating Chairman Xi Jinping on this achievement.
He also noted that a draft General Agreement on the Basic Principles of Gas Cooperation between Turkmenistan and China has been prepared, emphasizing that this partnership will further develop based on this document.
Chairman Xi Jinping thanked Turkmenistan for supporting the activities of Chinese partners in this sector and noted that necessary work is underway to implement the bilateral agreement in the natural gas sector. He also reaffirmed China’s readiness to further enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Turkmenistan, including within the “Central Asia–China” format.
Transport and Logistics
Partnership in transport and logistics is also of great importance. Turkmenistan’s “Revival of the Great Silk Road” strategy and China’s “Belt and Road” initiative are inherently complementary. They share common goals, such as fostering broad, open, and effective economic, trade, and investment cooperation, connecting dynamically developing regions of the Eurasian continent into a cohesive geo-economic space based on principles of mutual benefit, consideration of multilateral interests, long-term sustainability, and resilience.
Highlighting the crucial role of the Central Asian region in achieving these goals, President Berdimuhamedov emphasized Turkmenistan’s support for the “Central Asia–China” dialogue.
Cultural and Humanitarian Sphere
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed Turkmenistan’s readiness to expand ties with China in the field of education, noting that Turkmen students are currently studying various specialties at Chinese higher education institutions.
The importance of scientific cooperation and the implementation of joint projects, including in high technologies and artificial intelligence, historical and archaeological research, and the mutual promotion of the literary heritage of both nations, was also emphasized.
Given the growing role of parliamentary, public, women’s, and youth diplomacy, Turkmenistan is ready to discuss joint initiatives with China in these areas and leverage its rich experience in international parliamentary diplomacy to promote mutual understanding between the peoples, alongside Chinese partners.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Chairman Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to further developing mutually beneficial cooperation with Turkmenistan as a long-term strategic partner and expressed support for the proposals outlined by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
Bilateral Meetings and Signed Documents
During the visit of the President of Turkmenistan to China, bilateral talks were held between representatives of the Turkmen delegation and Chinese partners, discussing prospects for cooperation in various fields.
Particular attention was paid to the protection of intellectual property. The parties shared experiences in this area and explored opportunities to improve the legal framework and mechanisms for protecting innovations and copyrights.
Representatives of both countries discussed strengthening academic ties in education and implementing joint scientific and educational initiatives.
In the field of cultural cooperation, the focus was on museum affairs. The parties exchanged experiences in preserving and promoting cultural heritage and discussed organizing exhibitions and events aimed at strengthening friendship between the peoples.
The meetings also touched upon media cooperation, with both sides expressing mutual interest in developing information exchange, implementing joint media projects, and enhancing journalists’ professional skills.
Discussions on transport cooperation covered the expansion of infrastructure projects, logistics improvements, and the development of railway and road networks.
The energy sector emerged as a key aspect of bilateral partnership, with partners exchanging views on modernizing industry infrastructure and adopting technologies for sustainable energy production.
Following the meetings, several bilateral documents were signed, including:
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Lanzhou University;
– Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property between the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the National Intellectual Property Administration of the People’s Republic of China;
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan named after Saparmurat Turkmenbashi the Great and the National Museum of China;
– Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation between the editorial office of the online newspaper ‘Altyn Asyr’ (Turkmenistan) and ‘People’s Daily’ (Renmin Ribao, People’s Republic of China).
///nCa, 3 September 2025