Turkmenistan

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, the People's Republic of China and Turkmenistan established strategic partnership, with major progress made in all areas of cooperation.

Close exchanges were conducted at the high level. From 3 to 4 September, President Xi Jinping made his first state visit to Turkmenistan, during which he held talks with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. The two presidents had in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations, practical cooperation, and international and regional issues of shared interest. They signed the Joint Declaration on Establishing the Strategic Partnership Between the People's Republic of China and Turkmenistan, and witnessed the signing of 12 documents on diplomacy, economy, energy, finance, education, culture and sub-national cooperation by the government departments and businesses of the two sides. President Xi and President Berdymukhamedov jointly attended a ceremony inaugurating the Galkynysh Gas Field in the city of Mary. On 18 July, Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Turkmenistan. He met with President Berdymukhamedov and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov. On 13 November, Defense Minister Begenc Gundogdiyev visited China. He met with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission General Fan Changlong and held talks with State Councilor and Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan.

Business cooperation expanded in all areas. The two countries conducted frequent trade activities. Energy cooperation was strengthened. China became the largest trading partner and largest natural gas market for Turkmenistan. From 14 to 15 November, Chinese International Trade Representative Zhong Shan led a business delegation to Turkmenistan for the second session of the business cooperation sub-committee of the China- Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee. On 3 December, Wu Xinxiong, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission and head of the National Energy Administration, visited Turkmenistan for the third session of the bilateral energy cooperation sub-committee.

People-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation enjoyed sound momentum of growth. An agreement was signed between Xi'an and Mary on developing friendly and cooperative ties. The "Chinese Culture Day" was celebrated in Turkmenistan. MOUs on cooperation were signed between the education ministries and prestigious universities of the two countries. A Chinese children's art troupe, organized by the Ministry of Culture of China, participated in the International Children's Art Festival "Awaza: Land of Friendship" in Turkmenistan.