The Central Asia–China Education Exchange and Cooperation Centre was presented at Magtymguly Turkmen State University in Ashgabat. The initiative, aimed at strengthening and expanding academic ties between Turkmenistan and China, was launched during a visit by a Chinese delegation headed by Erkin Tuniyaz, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and Chairman of the XUAR People’s Government, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported.
During the meeting, Erkin Tuniyaz delivered the keynote address, highlighting the strategic direction of Turkmenistan–China relations and expressing confidence that the new Centre would provide fresh momentum to academic mobility and educational and scientific exchanges between young people from the two countries.
The presentation and discussions brought together representatives of relevant government agencies and leading higher education institutions from both countries. The Turkmen side was represented by the Rector of Magtymguly Turkmen State University, a Deputy Minister of Education, as well as vice-rectors of Myrat Garryyev State Medical University, the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages and the Seyitnazar Seydi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute.
The Chinese delegation included Ambassador of China to Turkmenistan Ji Shumin, Li Guoliang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the XUAR Education Department, Xu Guixian, Secretary of the Party Committee of the XUAR Foreign Affairs Office, as well as senior representatives of Xinjiang University, Xinjiang Medical University and Xinjiang Normal University.
Participants emphasized the importance of direct cooperation between universities, the launch of student and faculty exchange programmes, and joint research projects.
In his address, Li Guoliang stressed the transition from intentions to practical measures, announcing an annual quota of 100 Chinese government scholarships for Turkmen students to study in China. Energy, arid agriculture and medicine were identified as priority areas for joint research.
Xu Guixian, Secretary of the Party Committee of the XUAR Foreign Affairs Office, highlighted Xinjiang’s key role as a transport and logistics hub in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. He also identified agriculture, science and education as core areas of long-term strategic partnership.
As part of the event, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region donated a collection of books to the library of Magtymguly Turkmen State University.///nCa, 26 August 2026 [Photo credit – THP]