Today, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Turkmenistan Qian Naicheng.

After exchanging greetings, the Turkmen leader and the plenipotentiary representative of the friendly country congratulated each other on the significant date celebrated today – the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and China.

Expressing gratitude for the time devoted to the meeting and the opportunity to discuss some aspects of interstate cooperation in a personal conversation, the diplomat conveyed to the head of the Turkmen state warm words of greeting and a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and China, addressing wishes of peace, stability and prosperity to the entire Turkmen people. The nation’s leader was also given an official diplomatic letter of invitation to the upcoming 24th Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

In particular, the message says, “The Chinese side will hold the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing from February 4 to February 20, 2022. Taking into account the high level of strategic partnership relations between China and Turkmenistan and the deep friendship between the heads of the two countries, the Chinese side invites the distinguished President of Turkmenistan, Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to take part in the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.”

The diplomat underlined that the Chinese Government attaches particular importance to the comprehensive expansion of long-term productive cooperation with Turkmenistan – a strategic partner that currently occupies key positions in the Central Asian region and practices a constructive approach to building an effective model of regional and interregional dialogue in key areas of international policy.

Conveying his best wishes and a congratulatory letter on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and China, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov thanked the Chinese leader for the invitation to participate in the opening ceremony of the 24th Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.

In this regard, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that he always remembers with special warmth his visit to Beijing in August 2008 to participate in the opening ceremony of the 29th Summer Olympic Games, which were organized at the highest level.

In our country, special importance is attached to the development of physical education and sports. The harmonious formation of the spiritual and physical potential of citizens is a priority direction of state policy.

In this regard, the successful holding of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2017 in Ashgabat convincingly demonstrated for the whole world the huge potential of Turkmenistan in the field of further development of international sports cooperation and strengthening of the high ideals and principles of the World Olympic movement, the head of state said, recalling that the Ashgabat 2017 Games, which united not only athletes from Asia, but also athletes of the National Olympic Committees of Oceania countries, became the first international competition of this level in the history of Central Asia.

It is noteworthy that many Chinese athletes, who successfully performed and won about 100 medals of various denominations, took part in these competitions.

Turning to the issues of bilateral cooperation, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the fact that today, January 6, it is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries.

Emphasizing the deep symbolic meaning of the fact that China became the first country in the world which independent Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations with, the nation’s leader noted with satisfaction that during this period bilateral friendly ties and productive partnership based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, respect and trust have been actively developed and continue to grow steadily upward for the benefit of the two peoples.

Bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and China are harmoniously complemented by productive cooperation within the framework of international organizations. In this regard, the Chinese side was expressed gratitude for the continued support of the neutral status of our country, its international initiatives and proposals. 

During the meeting, it was noted that the two countries have been successfully cooperating for many years in almost all leading areas of the economy, including in the fields of energy, transport and communications, textile and chemical industries.

The priority area of bilateral economic cooperation has traditionally been the oil and gas sector, where a number of important joint projects have been implemented. So, today the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline is successfully operated, which supplies Turkmen natural gas at an increasing pace.

A special place in the Turkmen-Chinese dialogue is also given to the cultural and humanitarian sphere, where vast positive experience of joint work has been accumulated. According to the head of state, the established cooperation in such important fields as science and education, culture and art has become a truly connecting link through which friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries are steadily strengthening.

During the meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also took the opportunity to convey sincere wishes of sound health, prosperity and success to President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang, and peace, progress and prosperity to the friendly people of China.

Thanking for the kind and parting words, the diplomat expressed confidence that in the coming 2022, the motto of which is “The Epoch of the People with Arkadag”, under the wise leadership of the national leader, Turkmenistan will achieve even more impressive success.

Noting the increased interest in China in the achievements of the friendly state, Qian Naicheng expressed confidence in the further activization of trust-based bilateral relations and the implementation of new mutually beneficial joint projects for the benefit of the two countries’ peoples.