Xi Jinping Meets with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan

On the afternoon of May 18, 2023, President Xi Jinping met in Xi'an with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov who is in China for the China-Central Asia Summit.

Xi Jinping pointed out that over the past 31 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Turkmenistan have carried out friendly cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit. He recalled President Berdimuhamedov's successful state visit to China in January this year, during which they announced that the bilateral relationship be elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership and that a community with a shared future be practiced at the bilateral level, opening a new chapter in China-Turkmenistan relations. China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, and Turkmenistan is marching toward the “revival of a new era of a powerful state”. The China-Turkmenistan relationship enjoys enormous potential and broad prospects. China is ready to work with Turkmenistan to keep bringing the relationship forward for greater benefits of the two peoples.

Xi Jinping stressed that China firmly supports Turkmenistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions. China has always been a trustworthy friend and partner of Turkmenistan. The two sides need to fully leverage their complementary strengths, unleash cooperation potential, and upgrade bilateral cooperation in breadth and depth and on a larger scale. China is ready to expand cooperation with Turkmenistan in such areas as economy and trade, natural gas and connectivity, expand high-tech cooperation in telecommunication and aerospace, and support more Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Turkmenistan. Provinces and states at the sub-national level of the two countries also need to take actions to engage in more counterpart cooperation in line with their respective strengths. The two sides should take the opportunity of holding the year of culture in each other's country this and next year to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Central Asian countries, as closely interconnected as lips and teeth, and having stood together through thick and thin, have become a community with a shared future. China looks forward to working with the five countries to make the China-Central Asia Summit a success, promote the steady development of China-Central Asia cooperation, and uphold peace, stability and long-term security in Central Asia.

Berdimuhamedov said that the Turkmenistan-China friendship has grown stronger with renewed vitality, and the bilateral relationship is based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit and enjoys broad prospects. Turkmenistan highly values its comprehensive strategic partnership with China and is ready to work with China to enhance the synergy between the "revival of the ancient Silk Road" strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative, bring into full play the role of the Turkmenistan-China Cooperation Committee, deepen cooperation in key areas like energy and innovation, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The China-Central Asia  cooperation mechanisms will provide new opportunities for deepening friendship and cooperation and will also be of great significance to the world. Turkmenistan attaches great importance to such mechanisms, and stands ready to maintain close communication and cooperation with China to jointly tackle challenges and promote regional security, stability, development and prosperity.

After the meeting, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as science and technology, and customs.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and Qin Gang, among others, were present at the above events.