Yesterday, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Li Hui, Special Representative of the Government of the People's Republic of China for Eurasian Affairs.

Expressing gratitude for the time given for a personal meeting and hospitality, the guest conveyed warm greetings to the head of Turkmenistan on behalf of the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang.

As it was noted, China is sincerely glad for dynamic development and grandiose achievements of modern Turkmenistan and is sure that under the leadership of President Berdimuhamedov, who is an outstanding representative of the new generation of political figures of modernity and thanks to all round support of people, our country will attain more great heights.

Thanking for the kind words, the head of state conveyed his best wishes to the top leadership of the friendly country, emphasizing that the steady development and strengthening of relations with China, which are now acquiring new meaning and content, are one of the priorities of the foreign policy doctrine of Turkmenistan.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also expressed his deep condolence in connection with recent earthquake in Sichuan, which caused numerous causalities and destruction and conveyed his wishes of the soonest recovery to all suffered people. 

Turning to the topic of bilateral cooperation, the head of state highlighted the fact that China was the first country in the world with which Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations. As noted, over the past 30 years, the Turkmen-Chinese partnership, which is of a strategic nature, has been actively developed for the benefit of friendly peoples on the basis of equality, respect and trust.

Underlining with satisfaction the progressive character of development of modern interstate relations and sound positive experience of joint work developed for these years, the interlocutors stated high fruitfulness of interaction in the political sphere, which initially is based on a firm platform of political will of the high authorities of our countries and is successfully implemented both in bilateral and multilateral formats, including within the framework of the dialogue “Central Asia +China”. 

As was noted, today Turkmenistan and the People’s Republic of China actively cooperate on the international arena, systematically supporting each other within the framework of the UN and other important international organizations in promotion of especially significant initiatives and proposals.

During the meeting, which was held in a warm, friendly atmosphere, the head of state and his guest highly appreciated the prospects for the development of a multifaceted interstate dialogue in the entire range of areas, and expressed confidence that the Turkmen-Chinese relations, whose history goes back thousands of years, in times of the Great Silk Road, a great future awaits. 

So, speaking of the future of expansion of trade and economic relations, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pointed out that at present, the People’s Republic of China is a large trade and economic partner of Turkmenistan. A great work is entrusted to the Turkmen-Chinese cooperation committee in realization of marked plans.

Traditional fuel and energy complex, spheres of transport and communications, chemical and textile industries, high technologies and investment as well as many others, where taking into account the existing potential and opportunities making joint efforts are considered more efficient, were outlined among priority areas.

During the talk, the guest underlined that in bringing the Turkmen-Chinese interaction up to the new level, a special service belongs to Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Noting that President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping fondly recalls meetings with Arkadag, who at the invitation of the Chinese part, as an honoured guest within his working visit, took part in the opening of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games held in Beijing in February, this year and Li Hui informed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov that the Chinese leader sent warm words of greeting and best wishes to Arkadag. 

On behalf of the Hero-Arkadag, the President of the country thanked the President of the People's Republic of China for the kind words and books. 

At the end of the meeting, the head of the Turkmen state and the Special Representative of the Government of the PRC for Eurasian Affairs exchanged mutual good wishes, expressing confidence in the steady strengthening of the traditional ties of friendship, mutual understanding and trusting partnership between Turkmenistan and China and their fraternal peoples.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Turkmenistan Qian Naicheng.