Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Turkmenistan President: "Need to Expand Natural Gas Cooperation"

Cooperation Mentioned with Natural Gas Powerhouse Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan President "Supports One-China Principle"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with the President of Turkmenistan on the 15th in Uzbekistan and emphasized the expansion of natural gas cooperation, according to the Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency.

President Xi met with Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where he visited to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, saying, "The two countries should expand the scale of natural gas cooperation and inject new momentum into development and rejuvenation." He added, "We need to accelerate cooperation in non-resource sectors and promote the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative," and also stated, "A platform for people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries should be established, and China intends to strengthen cooperation with Turkmenistan in epidemic prevention."

Turkmenistan is the world's fourth-largest holder of natural gas reserves. Since the war in Ukraine, China has reduced natural gas imports from Australia and the United States and is relying on natural gas from Turkmenistan and Russia.

President Berdimuhamedow responded, "We wish for the success of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)," and said, "I believe the Congress will set a blueprint for China's future development." He added, "Turkmenistan values its strategic partnership with China and wishes to continuously strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, natural gas, cross-border transportation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural exchanges."

President Berdimuhamedow also indirectly referred to the Taiwan issue, emphasizing, "Turkmenistan firmly supports the One-China principle" and "supports China's safeguarding of national sovereignty and territorial integrity." Furthermore, he added, "We also support a series of major initiatives proposed by China that contribute to maintaining international peace and security and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals."