On 2 September 2025, in Beijing, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and First Vice-Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, TDH reports.
At the beginning of the talks, the Chinese official warmly welcomed the Turkmen President, expressing gratitude for his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit. He emphasized that China places great importance on developing relations with Turkmenistan, which span a wide range of areas, from economy and energy to cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
Ding Xuexiang also recalled his visit to Ashgabat in 2023 and took the opportunity to congratulate the Turkmen people on the 30th anniversary of the country’s neutrality.
In response, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov thanked the Chinese side for their hospitality and congratulated the Chinese leadership on the successful organization of the SCO Summit. The President noted that the agreements reached would contribute to strengthening regional stability and partnership. He also extended congratulations to the Chinese people on the 80th anniversary of Victory.
Both sides underscored the strategic nature of Turkmen-Chinese relations. Particular attention was given to energy cooperation. Highly appreciating the work of Chinese partners, particularly the China National Petroleum Corporation in Turkmenistan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude in this regard.
Another significant point of the discussions was the development of transport and logistics ties. Highlighting Turkmenistan’s active efforts in developing transport and transit infrastructure, the President drew attention to the prospects for creating a Trans-Caspian logistics route. In this context, Berdimuhamedov invited Chinese partners to engage in dialogue on establishing a sustainable transport and logistics link between Turkmenistan and China through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and further westward.
Turkmenistan also expressed readiness to further enhance cooperation with China in the railway transport sector, modernizing national railway system, and procuring new equipment from China.
A separate focus was placed on diversifying trade turnover. Turkmenistan is ready to increase exports to China of textiles, chemical and agricultural products, and petroleum products.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation remains a key area of partnership. In this regard, the President outlined specific proposals for advancing cooperation in high technologies, including artificial intelligence. To achieve these goals, it is planned to leverage the capabilities of the International Scientific and Technological Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, the Oguz Khan Engineering and Technology University, and the Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics.
In conclusion, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang reaffirmed their commitment to elevating bilateral cooperation to a higher level, wishing each other good health and success in their state activities.
The working visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the People’s Republic of China continues.