OREANDA-NEWS. November 30, 2011. The basis for relations of friendship and cooperation between Turkmenistan and China is the history of close contacts between the Turkmen and Chinese peoples. The ancient Chinese civilization as well as the centuries-old cultural and historical heritage of the Turkmen people significantly influenced on the history of mankind. The Turkmen and Chinese peoples are united by the respect for rich and unique culture and traditions of their countries.

From ancient times the favourable geopolitical and geostrategic position of Turkmenistan located between Europe and Asia, East and West contributed to the intensive trading and economic and humanitarian relations between the two nations. The traditions of mutual relations laid in the epoch of the Great Silk Road running through the territories of today’s Turkmenistan and China have become a key stage in the centuries-old fruitful relations till the present time.

The modern history of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the People’s Republic of China is closely related to gaining independence of our country. China is one of the first world countries to recognize the sovereignty of the Turkmen state. The diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and China have been established since January 6, 1992 by signing a joint communiqué during the first official visit of the Chinese governmental delegation to Ashgabat. Within the years of fruitful and equal cooperation Turkmenistan and China have accumulated huge experience in bilateral cooperation in many aspects of the partnership. In this regard, a reliable international and legal framework, which includes more than 90 documents signed at the interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental levels, clearly regulates the Turkmen-Chinese cooperation in the international system of coordinates.

The People’s Republic of China, like Turkmenistan demonstrates its adherence to the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states, non-interference in their domestic affairs, implementation of equal and mutually beneficial partnership as well as commitment to peace and safety development in the world. The proximity of the foreign-policy goals and objectives, the similarity of the positions and views on many problems of the global development allow Turkmenistan and China to develop successful partnership at the world arena. The parties take into account the realities and trends of the contemporary world politics and economics. This partnership satisfies the interests of Turkmenistan and China.

A state visit of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to China in July, 2007 launched the qualitatively new stage in the history of bilateral relations between the two countries. Regular purposeful character of the Turkmen-Chinese political dialogue at the top level was reflected in a number of following constructive talks. The meetings between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of China Hu Jintao in Beijing and then in Ashgabat in August, 2008 strengthened the existing partnership between our countries. The regular political contacts allowed to determine the dynamics and paces of further bilateral cooperation and offered a powerful incentive for development of new areas of the Turkmen-Chinese relations.

The leaders of Turkmenistan and China exchange their political of views within the frameworks of the official and state visits as well as during international summits. During the meeting in the framework of the 64th session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September, 2009 the leaders of Turkmenistan and China expressed full understanding in the issues of the interstate cooperation and once again underlined their mutual desire to foster the whole potential of the bilateral partnership based on mutual respect and equality. Last June, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao held the talks in Tashkent in the framework of their participation in the Summit of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The fact that trade between the countries is promoted and for the past decade has increased as much as 40 times is of particular significance. Today, the People’s Republic of China is the largest foreign-trade partner of Turkmenistan. A great number of enterprises with Chinese capital successfully operate in our country. Dozens of investment projects in the oil and gas and telecommunications complexes, in the sphere of transport and construction, agriculture, textile, chemical and food industry, medicine and healthcare are registered in Turkmenistan.

One of the priorities of the Turkmen-Chinese cooperation is a joint activity in the fuel and energy sector. Turkmenistan and China have great potential for cooperation in this sphere. The general agreement between the government of Turkmenistan and the government of the People's Republic of China on the implementation of Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline project and the sale of natural gas from Turkmenistan to the People's Republic of China signed in April, 2006. This large-scale project on diversification of the new route of energy supply from Turkmenistan to China through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan was implemented in December 14, 2009. This date was entered into the history of the Turkmen-Chinese relations. The significance of the gas pipeline satisfies the long-term prospects of the countries and serves to the interests of regional and global development.

The states have established the effective mechanism of partnership in the form of the Turkmen-Chinese Cooperation Committee. The most urgent and priority issues on the agenda of the cooperation were discussed during the first sitting of this joint structure taken place in Ashgabat last November.

The cultural and humanitarian component has an important place in Turkmen-Chinese relations. Turkmenistan and China possess huge potential and all the possibilities for cooperation in the sphere of science and education, art, literature and demonstrate particular interest in expanding cooperation in these areas. According to the Turkmen leader, education and training of specialists is a priority within the bilateral relations. With this aim, hundreds of students from Turkmenistan study in the prestigious Chinese universities today. Given the traditions and centuries-old experience in medicine as well as the most advanced achievements of China in this sphere, Turkmenistan and China have good prospects for deepening cooperation in the field of health care and medical industry.

The traditionally high level of relations between Turkmenistan and the People’s Republic of China is a solid foundation for diversification of large-scale cooperation in the world political arena. The state visit of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to China last week is a qualitatively new stage in Turkmen-Chinese relations and will further strengthen the ties of friendship and brotherhood between the peoples of Turkmenistan and China.