Turkmen national leader's China visit to enhance bilateral ties, promote regional stability: experts
National Leader of the Turkmen People Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's visit to China will further boost bilateral cooperation, and stronger ties between the two countries will enhance regional stability and collaboration, said experts.
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Berdimuhamedov, who is also chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) of Turkmenistan, arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to begin a three-day goodwill visit to China.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992 between the two countries, China and Turkmenistan have enjoyed a healthy and stable growth in bilateral ties.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, China is Turkmenistan's largest trading partner, largest export destination, and largest import source country.
Holding the fourth-largest natural gas reserves in the world, Turkmenistan is the largest source of pipeline natural gas imports for China from Central Asia.
Dong Yu, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Global and Area Studies of the Capital Normal University in Beijing, said he believes that Berdymukhamedov's visit will further boost bilateral cooperation, including in the energy field.
"The visit holds symbolic meaning in terms of energy cooperation. China is the largest buyer of Turkmen gas," Dong said.
Berdimuhamedov's visit comes amid complex and turbulent global and regional situations, marked by the ongoing conflict in neighboring Iran.
Jahan Babamuradova, a researcher at the Scientific Research Institute of Natural Gas of the State Concern Turkmengaz, said she believes that stronger ties between China and Turkmenistan will contribute to stability and development across the Eurasian region.
"China is not only a great country, a powerful global economic and industrial center, with vast and promising markets, but also a reliable and trustworthy friend. The relationship between China and Turkmenistan has become an important factor for stability and development in the Eurasian region," said Babamuradova.
Beyond energy, the two countries have also made notable achievements in education and culture.
The two sides are accelerating the Luban Workshop program, a Chinese vocational training initiative, and are in the process of establishing cultural centers in each other's countries.
