Turkmen-Chinese Cooperation is Becoming Stronger

On January 15, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted political consultations between the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and the People's Republic of China. The Turkmen delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Akhmet Gurbanov, while the Chinese delegation was headed by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Liu Bin. During the consultations, a substantive exchange of views took place on all key areas of the bilateral agenda, including issues of political-diplomatic dialogue, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian partnerships, and their practical implementation. It was emphasized that regular contacts at the highest, governmental, and interdepartmental levels provide momentum for comprehensive strategic relations. The topic of China's participation in planned high-level events within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust was also discussed. Regarding bilateral interparliamentary and interparty ties, both sides highlighted the importance of the activities of interparliamentary friendship groups and participation in joint events. In the context of interaction between foreign ministries, diplomats discussed the practical implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China for 2025-2026, signed last November in Chengdu. The parties agreed that the activities of the Turkmen-Chinese Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee are an important mechanism for a sustainable and long-term Turkmen-Chinese dialogue. Particular attention during the meeting was given to expanding trade and economic relations. It was noted that China has been Turkmenistan's largest foreign economic partner for many years. The parties also agreed that the fields of science, education, culture, arts, and sports serve as effective tools for bringing the friendly Turkmen and Chinese peoples closer together. At the conclusion of the inter-ministerial consultations, the sides expressed their readiness to intensify productive dialogue in promising areas of bilateral cooperation of mutual interest. On the same day, the 10th meeting of the Subcommittee on Security Cooperation of the Turkmen-Chinese Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee was held. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan A. Gurbanov and Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Liu Bin. Representatives of relevant ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan and China also participated in the meeting. The parties analyzed the results of work on previously reached agreements and exchanged views on joint activities in the near future on priority areas of cooperation. Participants confirmed their intention to expand and deepen cooperation in the field of security. At the end of the meeting, a Protocol of the 10th Meeting of the Subcommittee on Security Cooperation of the Turkmen-Chinese Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee was signed. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan