Chinese state-owned rolling stock manufacturer CRRC has unveiled a new freight locomotive platform offering three distinct powertrain options on a common chassis, a design approach aimed squarely at mining railways across Central Asia where aging diesel fleets and unreliable grid infrastructure have stalled earlier decarbonisation efforts. The platform, branded XUANKUN … [Read more...]
China and Central Asia Join Forces on Disaster-Monitoring Satellites
nCa Report When delegates gathered at the 9th China–Eurasia Expo in Urumqi last Thursday, the signing ceremony for a new satellite programme may not have drawn as much attention as the trade deals and infrastructure pledges filling the agenda. But for the five countries involved, the agreement could prove to be among the most consequential items on the table. China, … [Read more...]
Gwadar and Central Asia: Geography Makes the Case, Work Continues
Tariq Saeedi The conversation around Gwadar has never quite settled into a stable consensus. For a stretch, it's the port that rewires Eurasian trade — the hinge point of a new regional order. Then the mood shifts, and it becomes the cautionary tale of ambition lapping execution, a facility with a master plan and not enough cargo to justify it. Both readings have had real … [Read more...]
Ashgabat Hosts First “Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship” Award Ceremony
The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Turkmenistan hosted the first award ceremony for the "Chinese Ambassador's Scholarship" for 2026. The program was established to support Turkmen youth studying the Chinese language. The laureates and guests were welcomed by the Ambassador of China to Turkmenistan Ji Shumin. The selection of the recipients was based on a … [Read more...]
In foreigners’ eyes: What galvanizes young people in a changing China
Chen Ziqi, a reporter from CGTN Farmers and CPC members work side by side to plough the fields and plant crops in Gaojiu Village in Guizhou on October 8, 2023. [Photo: VCG] Across the world, the strength of a governing party is often measured through numbers: approval ratings, economic indicators, or public surveys. In China, another indicator is remarkable: the … [Read more...]
Turkmen Ambassador Highlights Growing Cooperation During Visit to China’s Hubei Province
A Turkmen delegation led by Ambassador of Turkmenistan to China, Parahat Durdyev, participated in a series of events in China’s Hubei Province on 24 June 2026 as part of a large-scale familiarization program showcasing the province’s economic and development potential. According to THP, the visit included an official meeting in Wuhan hosted by Hubei Provincial Party … [Read more...]
China, Turkmenistan Complete Joint Scientific Survey in Karakum Desert
Researchers from China's Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) and Turkmenistan's National Institute of Deserts, Flora, and Fauna have completed a 16-day joint scientific expedition in the Karakum Desert, focusing on desertification and biodiversity. According to XIEG, the survey collected data on wild plant and animal species, soil profiles, dune evolution, and … [Read more...]
Turkmen Parliamentarians Join Beijing Seminar on China-Central Asia Cooperation
A delegation from the Mejlis of Turkmenistan is participating in an international seminar titled "Enhancing the Role of Legislative Bodies and Strengthening China-Central Asia Cooperation," held in Beijing from June 22 to 28. The event was organized by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China for parliamentary representatives … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan’s Parliament Receives Chinese Ambassador
Members of Turkmenistan's Majlis (parliament) held a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China, according to the parliament's press service. Both sides noted the dynamic growth of bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across multiple areas, including inter-parliamentary ties. Discussions emphasized the role of legislative engagement in … [Read more...]
Chinese Locomotives Become the Backbone of Turkmenistan Railways
nCa Report The unveiling of the first of 15 new Chinese-built CKD9A-1 freight locomotives in Ashgabat last week may appear at first glance to be a routine procurement event. However, a review of publicly available information suggests that it marks another step in a much broader transformation of Turkmenistan’s railway sector, one in which Chinese-built locomotives have … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Authorizes Major Pipeline and Drilling Pipe Purchases to Support Oil and Gas Development
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has approved a series of decisions aimed at strengthening Turkmenistan’s oil and gas infrastructure through the procurement of key industrial materials from Chinese manufacturers. Under a presidential resolution, the State Concern Türkmengaz has been authorized to conclude a contract with China’s Julong Steel Pipe Co., Ltd. for the purchase of … [Read more...]
China’s Global Governance Initiative: Turkmenistan Outlines Path Forward
Turkmenistan has called for a new multilateral "preventive governance" platform and proposed declaring 2028 the Year of International Law. The proposals were made during a meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance in New York on 28 May 2026. The session, which brought together representatives from 60 nations, concluded with a five-point consensus focused on … [Read more...]
China, Turkmenistan Reaffirm Commitment to Deepening Strategic Partnership
China and Turkmenistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership, according to a press release from the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. The announcement followed a meeting in New York on 27 May 2026 between Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who also serves as a member of the Political … [Read more...]
China ready to work with Turkmenistan to invigorate bilateral ties: Chinese FM
China stands ready to work with Turkmenistan to act on the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, advance cooperation on major projects and inject fresh vitality into bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday. During a meeting with Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, Wang thanked Meredov … [Read more...]
The Body Remembers: Behind the Making of Bathing
How interviews with home-bathing specialists shaped an audio drama about aging, dignity, and care in China Lu Chang Poster for Bathing, the original audio drama by CGTN Radio. [Photo: CGTN] Bathing, our original audio drama, began with a question: what happens when one of the most ordinary acts of life becomes something we can no longer do alone? For most of … [Read more...]
Xi Jinping Accepts Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s Invitation to Visit Turkmenistan
The President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, has accepted an invitation from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to pay a visit to Turkmenistan, announcing his acceptance in a reply letter. The text of the Chinese leader's message was published by the State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH). In his letter to the President of Turkmenistan, Xi Jinping emphasized … [Read more...]
China is willing to deepen security cooperation with Central Asia
China is willing to work with Central Asian countries to continuously deepen practical cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, combating telecom fraud and other transnational crimes, high-quality Belt and Road security cooperation, and immigration management, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong said Monday. Wang made the remarks … [Read more...]
Russian business leader on future China-Russia cooperation
Chen Ziqi, a reporter from CGTN CGTN interviewed Pavel Kiparisov in Beijing, Chairman of the Russian-Chinese Guild of Commerce, on May 18, 2026. [Photo: courtesy of Pavel Kiparisov] As Russian President Vladimir Putin begins his state visit to China from May 19 to 20, attention is once again turning to the strength and resilience of China–Russia relations at a time … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Firmly Adheres to the “One China” Principle
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan has voiced Ashgabat's position regarding the "One China" policy, opposing any forms of "Taiwan independence." This was stated in a special message issued by the foreign ministry of Turkmenistan for the media on 19 May 2026. Here is the full text of the statement: "Having the internationally accepted status of permanent … [Read more...]
Security at the Crossroads of Eurasian Routes: President of Kazakhstan Receives Interior Ministers of the “Central Asia – China” Format
Ensuring stability amidst the transformation of global trade chains, protecting the digital space from the destructive influence of artificial intelligence, and consolidating efforts against transnational crime were the key themes of the meeting between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the ministers of internal affairs and public security from Central Asian … [Read more...]
Astana: Central Asia – China Format Discusses Strengthening Regional Security
On 18 May 2026, Astana hosted the second meeting of Ministers of Internal Affairs and Public Security within the "Central Asia – China" format. The participants discussed strengthening regional security and countering transnational crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and extremism, according to the interior ministry of Kazakhstan. Amid growing contemporary challenges, the … [Read more...]
China’s western rail gateway speeds freight links to Europe, Central Asia
Freight train traffic through Alashankou, also known as Alataw Pass, a key rail gateway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has surpassed 3,000 trips so far this year, reaching the milestone 19 days earlier than in 2025. This reflects steadily rising demand for reliable overland trade routes to Europe and Central Asia, reports Xinhua. A China-Europe … [Read more...]
New Multimodal Corridor: Cargo from China to Afghanistan to Transit via Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
As part of the strategy to diversify transport and logistics corridors in the region, a new multimodal route has been launched for the delivery of containerized cargo from China to Afghanistan. The new path is designed to be a more efficient alternative to traditional maritime shipping. This was reported by Uztemiryulkonteyner (the container fleet operator of Uzbekistan … [Read more...]
The Beating Heart: How China Brings Human Warmth to the World’s Largest Economic Partnership
Tariq Saeedi Introduction When analysts examine China's remarkable ascent as the world's most sought-after development partner, they reach instinctively for the tools of macroeconomics: financing volumes, construction timelines, trade balances, and debt ratios. These metrics matter enormously, and they tell a compelling story. But they tell only part of it. Beneath … [Read more...]
Enormity of Scale Is a Powerful Magnet for Partnership with China
Tariq Saeedi Introduction In the annals of modern geopolitics, few phenomena have reshaped the global order as quietly yet decisively as China's emergence as the partner of choice for a large swath of the developing world. This is not primarily a story of ideology, military alliances, or soft-power seduction — it is, at its core, a story of scale. China's capacity to … [Read more...]
Preparations for Turkmenistan-China Business Forum in High Gear
Turkmenistan is set to host a major economic event as preparations gather pace for the Turkmen–China Business Forum and accompanying exhibition in Ashgabat toward the end of April 2026. The forum is shaping up to be one of the most significant bilateral business gatherings between the two countries in recent years, reflecting the depth and steady expansion of ties between … [Read more...]
China Extends Preferential Visa Conditions for Turkmenistan Citizens Until End of 2026
The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Turkmenistan has announced the extension of the policy of temporarily reduced visa fees for Turkmen citizens until 31 December 2026. This measure is aimed at further simplifying travel and strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. According to the official statement from the diplomatic mission, the reduced visa … [Read more...]
Building a world of common prosperity through win-win cooperation
CGTN podcast “China is always a builder of world peace, contributor to global development, defender of the international order, and provider of public goods. China will continue to bring the world new opportunities through its new development.” China will bring the world new opportunities through its new development; this was the solemn commitment to the world from … [Read more...]
EDB: China’s FDI stock in Central Asia has increased over ten years to US $35.9 billion
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released its second report under the flagship Monitoring of Mutual Investments project. The paper focuses on China, the Eurasian region’s leading investment partner in 2025, and shows that Chinese investment in the region continues to grow steadily despite the global decline in FDI flows. Over the past ten years, this investment has … [Read more...]
Building a world of lasting peace through dialogue and consultation
CGTN podcast In October 2013, at a conference on work related to neighboring countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping first put forward China's fundamental policy guideline for diplomacy with neighboring countries — amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness. “Amity” stands for close and friendly relations, “sincerity” for mutual trust and honesty, “mutual benefit” … [Read more...]
Turkmen Logistics Association to Support Member Participation in the 2026 Turkmen-Chinese Forum
Talvas Yoly Joint-Stock Company and its Oguz Forum & Expo division, in cooperation with the Turkmen Logistics Association (TLA), officially announce the commencement of preparations for the Turkmen-Chinese Business Forum and Exhibition, scheduled for April 28–30, 2026. As the official organizers, Talvas Yoly JSC and Oguz Forum & Expo will manage the comprehensive … [Read more...]
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) Railway: A Strategic Connectivity Project
nCa Short Report The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway is a pivotal infrastructure project designed to boost trade and economic ties across Central Asia, connecting China directly with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Initially proposed in the 1990s, it has gained significant traction as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aiming to create alternative trade … [Read more...]
Can green development really bring us together?
About the author: Niu Honglin is a producer and host with CGTN. She is also one of the editors of Stories of Xi Jinping. This article comes from a podcast series I’ve been working on that looks at global governance through a simple but demanding idea: a shared future for humanity. Each episode focuses on one dimension of that question — security, development, cultural … [Read more...]
Building a community with a shared future for humanity
CGTN's Podcast: Stories of Xi Jinping Our world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century. The international community has reached a new crossroads. Global growth is sluggish, the impact of the financial crisis lingers on, and the development gap is widening. Armed conflicts, terrorism, refugee crises, and climate change are becoming endemic. … [Read more...]
China’s Economic Roadmap for 2026: A Pivot Toward Deeper Ties with Central Asia
nCa Report As 2025 draws to a close, China's Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC) has laid out a pragmatic blueprint for the year ahead, emphasizing stability amid domestic slowdowns and global uncertainties (source). The meeting, held in Beijing from December 10 to 11, reaffirmed commitments to boosting domestic demand, stabilizing the property sector, and leaning on … [Read more...]
Ashgabat will host the Turkmen-Chinese Trade and Economic Forum in April 2026
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Chinese Industrial Overseas Development Association (CODA), with the assistance of Talwas Yoly Closed Joint Stock Company and the Oguz Forum&Expo division, will hold a Turkmen-Chinese Trade and Economic Forum entitled "New Opportunities for Trade and Economic Cooperation", which will be held on 28-30 April 2026 in … [Read more...]
How will “a shared future” save the world from fragmentation?
Niu Honglin, producer and host with CGTN When I was working on this new podcast, one question kept showing up in my notes: Why does the idea of a “shared future” receive increasing global recognition now? Not ten years ago. Not twenty. But now. The world isn’t short on challenges. Economic recovery feels fragile. Conflicts flare up with unsettling frequency. Climate … [Read more...]
President Xi sends congratulatory letter to forum dedicated to International Year of Peace and Trust in Turkmenistan
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter on Friday to a forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust held in Ashgabat in Turkmenistan. The year 2025 marks the International Year of Peace and Trust, which was proposed by Turkmenistan and endorsed by the UN General Assembly, while today also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's … [Read more...]
Authentic Outcomes of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat – Part Three
The Conversation Heard Around the World: What Ashgabat Promises Generation Beta Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova As the final echoes of speeches faded in Ashgabat on December 12, 2025, what lingered was not merely diplomatic courtesy but something far more significant: the dawning recognition that active, dynamic neutrality is not a relic of 20th-century idealism but a … [Read more...]
Authentic Outcomes of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat – Part Two
Turkmenistan's Neutrality as a Catalyst for Regional and Global Integration Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova The Neutrality Advantage: A Unique Convening Power Turkmenistan's 30-year commitment to permanent neutrality, internationally recognized by the UN in 1995, 2015, and 2025, has created a distinctive diplomatic asset: the ability to bring together nations that … [Read more...]
Russia and China Deepen Financial Alliance With Moscow’s Landmark Yuan Bond Issue
Russia has taken a major step toward fuller integration with China’s financial system by issuing its first sovereign bonds denominated in Chinese renminbi, raising nearly $3 billion in a transaction that both sides hailed as a milestone in their rapidly expanding economic partnership. The information comes from the Financial Times and the Russian media. The Russian Finance … [Read more...]
European Union Says It Seeks No Expansion in Central Asia
The European Union’s special representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, rejected suggestions that Brussels is pursuing political or economic expansion in the region, emphasizing that the bloc’s growing engagement is driven solely by mutual benefit and a desire for stability. “We are not immediate neighbors, so it is very difficult to accuse us of any attempts at … [Read more...]
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan Opens New Opportunities for Strengthening Strategic Partnership with Turkmenistan
Elvira Kadyrova On 26 November 2025, a media briefing was held at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Ji Shumin, China’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, presented the outcomes of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the key provisions of the newly approved 15th … [Read more...]
China and Turkmenistan intend to deepen transport cooperation
On 7 November, Ambassador of China to Turkmenistan Ji Shumin paid a visit to the Minister of Motor Transport of Turkmenistan Begench Annadurdyev, the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan reports. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on further deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the transport sector. The meeting was also attended by Counselor-Envoy of … [Read more...]
China’s leading engineering corporations’ delegation holds series of meetings in Turkmenistan
From 17 to 22 October 2025, Wang Bo, Chairman of the Board of China CAMCE Corporation (China CAMC Engineering Ltd.) and China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), visited Turkmenistan on a working trip. The visit included a series of high-level business meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and industry. This was reported by the … [Read more...]
Central Asia Gears Up for Historic C5+1 Summit with Trump: A Mix of Optimism and Caution
Tariq Saeedi As the world watches the evolving dynamics of global diplomacy, the upcoming C5+1 summit in Washington, D.C., on November 6, 2025, is generating significant buzz across Central Asia and beyond. This gathering, marking the 10th anniversary of the C5+1 format that brings together the United States and the five Central Asian republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, … [Read more...]
US-China Summit in Busan: Comprehensive Report
nCa Report Overview On October 30, 2025, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for approximately one hour and forty minutes at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, marking their first face-to-face meeting in six years. The summit took place at the conclusion of Trump's three-country Asia tour, which also included stops in Malaysia and … [Read more...]
Two decades of green progress in the Asia-Pacific
Chen Ziqi, Reporter at CGTN APEC drives sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific. [Photo: VCG] For the past two decades, APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, has been reshaping the Asia-Pacific’s approach to growth. Since the 2011 Honolulu Leaders’ Declaration, APEC has placed “green growth” at the heart of its agenda, showing progress and environmental … [Read more...]
New China-Central Asia Transport Corridor Launches Trial Operations
Seven trucks carrying containers departed from the Kashi International Hub Port in northwestern China's Xinjiang region on October 15, marking the launch of a trial international transport service connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, according to Chinese state media reports. The multimodal transport corridor represents a significant development in … [Read more...]
OGT 2025: Gas imports from Turkmenistan to China face competition from potential new supplies, says S&P Global Commodity Insights
The future of Turkmenistan's crucial gas exports to China faces a complex intersection of growing Chinese demand and increasing global supply competition, according to Tianshi Huang, Senior Principal Analyst for China Gas Research at S&P Global Insights. Numerous factors can influence the potential growth of Turkmenistan's gas exports to China, including upstream supply … [Read more...]