An exhibition of the Chinese paintings and works of arts opened in Ashgabat on 29 October 2026. The theme of the exhibition is ‘Beauty of China – Beauty of Xinjiang.’
Speech by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Turkmenistan, Ji Shumin, at the Opening of the Fine Arts and Photography Exhibition “Beautiful China — Beauty of Xinjiang”
Respected Minister of Culture Gurbanmyrat Myradalyyev,
Respected Chairman of the Artists Association of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association Kuai Zhenming,
Respected Museum Director Orazov,
Honored guests, dear friends,
I wish you all a blessed morning!
It is a great honor for me to participate in the opening ceremony of the fine arts and photography exhibition “Beautiful China — Beauty of Xinjiang.” First of all, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Turkmenistan, I express my deep gratitude to all colleagues and organizations who have supported relations between China and Turkmenistan and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries for many years.
Since the beginning of this year, relations between China and Turkmenistan have continued to develop rapidly, and practical cooperation in various fields has borne rich fruit. In March, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, made a successful visit to China. During the visit, he reached important agreements with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on deepening the strategic partnership between China and Turkmenistan. This defined new directions for the future growth of relations between the two countries.
In April, Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Vice Premier of the State Council, paid a successful visit to Turkmenistan as a special envoy of President of the PRC Xi Jinping.
He attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the fourth phase of the development of the “Galkynysh” gas field, the seventh meeting of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee, and the opening ceremony of the first “Luban Workshop” in Turkmenistan. This also facilitated the signing of several cooperation documents, including an agreement on the mutual establishment of cultural centers in both countries. This visit was an important step in promoting bilateral cooperation.
China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is a beautiful gem in the northwest of the country and a key region of the “Silk Road Economic Belt.” In recent years, Xinjiang’s cooperation with Turkmenistan has been dynamically developing and reaching new heights. In January of this year, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Atahallyyev visited the Xinjiang region. During the visit, the parties reached important agreements on cooperation in the agricultural sector.
In August of this year, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Erkin Tuniyaz visited Turkmenistan. Within the framework of the visit, a series of meetings and conferences were held on cooperation in areas such as agriculture, education, and trade and economic ties, achieving significant results.
In January–September 2026, trade turnover between the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Turkmenistan amounted to about 185 million US dollars. This represents a 412 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Xinjiang produces high-quality cotton seeds that have taken root and begun to sprout on Turkmen soil. Every year, Xinjiang offers numerous scholarship quotas for citizens of Turkmenistan. Currently, this region has become one of the key destinations for Turkmen students pursuing education in China.
Xinjiang represents not only beautiful and diverse natural scenery, but also a rich cultural heritage in which various ethnic groups coexist harmoniously.
The photographs presented today at the exhibition reflect the authentic and vivid face of Xinjiang. They express the richness of life in green oases, the boundless expanses of deserts and majestic beauty, the daily life of cities, and the warm smiles of the people. Together, they form a wonderful image of Xinjiang, demonstrating how different peoples live in harmony and prosperity.
We hope that through these works, our Turkmen friends will be able to better understand Xinjiang, which is characterized by harmony, unity, openness, and prosperity.
The doors of Xinjiang are always wide open to the entire world. We sincerely invite all our friends to visit this region to see and appreciate its beauty with their own eyes.
China and Turkmenistan are two countries with ancient histories. The ancient Silk Road closely bound us together. In recent years, the content of our humanitarian cooperation has become even richer, ranging from the agreement on the mutual establishment of cultural centers in both countries to the opening of the Luban Workshop and a Chinese medicine center.
We hope that this photo exhibition opens a new window before us, creating more opportunities to experience mutual cultural influence and gain new strength from the mutual communication of civilizations.
In conclusion, I would like to express once again my sincere gratitude to the leaders and friends of both countries who support bilateral relations and cultural cooperation between China and Turkmenistan.
I wish everyone robust health, happiness, and success in all endeavors!
Thank you.
Speech by Kuai Zhenming, Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association, Member of the Party Group, Vice Chairman of the Xinjiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chairman of the Xinjiang Artists Association
(29 October 2026)
Respected guests, dear friends,
I am deeply delighted to meet with you in the beautiful city of Ashgabat, leading the cultural exchange delegation of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, conveying the sincere feelings of friendship from all the ethnic groups residing in China’s Xinjiang region, and welcoming new achievements in the field of literature and art in the modern era.
On behalf of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Xinjiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles, I extend a sincere greeting and the warmest gratitude to all respected guests and representatives of various sectors! I express special gratitude to the State Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Turkmenistan, and friendly representatives of various organizations for their immense support in successfully holding this exhibition!
The views of China and Turkmenistan align, their goals are similar, and their interests are interconnected. The peoples of the two countries are bound by deep historical roots. Starting from the era of caravan routes on the Ancient Silk Road up to the present day, the “Belt and Road” initiative is being jointly brought to life.
Ashgabat, known as the “city of love” and distinguished by its white marble buildings, sincerely rejoices in the centuries-old traditions of mutual trade, mutual learning, and exchange of experience between the peoples of China and Turkmenistan.
Holding today’s exhibition of fine arts and photographic works is a continuation of this tradition of friendly cultural exchange and serves to elevate it to a new level.
President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping notes: “Cultural exchange is diverse through mutual learning, and becomes even richer through mutual communication.” He also calls for strengthening humanitarian exchange and cooperation among the peoples of different countries to achieve even greater closeness and mutual understanding.
Today, we use art as a bridge to present to you beautiful works of art that reflect the spirit of modern China and the unique color of Xinjiang.
By doing so, we strive to put into practice the concept of a shared civilization and a common future for humanity, creating a cultural bridge that transcends borders and connects the hearts of peoples.
Through these works embodying deep feelings, we sincerely wish our friends from Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries to feel even closer to China’s rapid modern development, as well as to experience firsthand the incredible richness, beauty, harmony, and prosperity of the Xinjiang land.
Through dialogue between civilizations, let us hand in hand—with a powerful voice of our era—continue our mutual exchange and understanding to advance friendship! And let us make a profound contribution to building an even closer China–Central Asia community with a shared future!
Dear friends,
The China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Federation of Literary and Art Circles of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region are public organizations representing literary and artistic figures in China and Xinjiang.
With this visit, we hope to further strengthen ties with the literary and artistic community of Central Asia, deepen cultural exchange, and foster friendship among our peoples.
This is the shared aspiration of numerous artists and cultural workers from China and Xinjiang.
We also warmly invite all our friends to visit China’s Xinjiang region whenever you have the opportunity. We sincerely wish for you to see the unique beauty of this land with your own eyes, feel it with your own heart, and, drawing upon your impressions, discover and tell your very own “Xinjiang story.”
In conclusion, I wish this exhibition tremendous success!
I wish all our respected guests robust health, well-being, and success in all your endeavors!
Thank you for your attention! /// nCa, 30 October 2026
A little bit of sampling from the event:
