Energy cooperation serves as the cornerstone of China-Turkmenistan relations, stated Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Turkmenistan, Ji Shumin, during a press briefing for Turkmen and foreign journalists, held in Ashgabat on 27 March 2026.
This year marks a significant milestone for the bilateral partnership, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the General Agreement on the implementation of the Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline project and the sale of Turkmen natural gas to the PRC.
Record Indicators and Key Partner Status
According to data presented by the Ambassador Ji Shumin, as of 1 March 2026, the volume of Turkmen natural gas exports to China via the transnational pipeline has reached an impressive 460 billion cubic meters.
For 14 consecutive years, China has remained the largest importer of Turkmen “blue fuel” and Turkmenistan’s leading trade partner. The Ambassador emphasized that this cooperation is profoundly mutually beneficial.
“China-Turkmenistan gas cooperation contributes to strengthening China’s energy security and promotes regional energy interaction, while providing the Turkmen side with substantial budget revenues and creating a large number of jobs,” said Ji Shumin.
Galkynysh: Transition to the Fourth Phase of Development
One of the most significant outcomes of recent high-level bilateral contacts was the confirmation of plans to expand the resource base of Turkmenistan’s fuel and energy industry.
“The strategic partnership in the gas sector fully meets the long-term interests of Turkmenistan and China, and also serves the objective development needs of the global economy,” the Ambassador said, quoting the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
In September last year, during a meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov announced that the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) was selected as the winner of the tender for the Phase 4 development of the Galkynysh field.
Recently, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov approved the conclusion of the relevant contract between CNPC and Turkmengaz State Concern.
“The implementation of this major project will further increase Turkmenistan’s gas production capacity, boost state budget revenues, and create new jobs for the population of Turkmenistan,” the Ambassador noted.
Beyond Gas: Moving Toward Diversification
Despite the dominant role of hydrocarbons, both sides intend to diversify economic ties. During the recent visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to Beijing, President Xi Jinping highlighted the need to accelerate the alignment of the “Belt and Road Initiative” with the “Revival of the Great Silk Road” strategy, while expanding the scale of gas cooperation and increasing trade and investment levels.
In the non-resource sector, several promising growth points were identified: transport connectivity, agriculture, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and renewable energy sources.
“The Chinese economy is ready to work with the Turkmen side—guided by the consensus reached by the leaders of our countries—to fully identify and utilize the opportunities and resources within the ‘China–Central Asia’ mechanism and China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. We aim to actively facilitate trade and investment activities, shaping new growth points for bilateral cooperation,” concluded Ambassador Ji Shumin. ///nCa, 27 March 2026