Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: Turkmenistan-China Partnership as a Model of Interstate Trust
During a friendly visit to the People's Republic of China, National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty (People's Council) Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave an extensive interview to one of the world's largest television channels, CGTN. Before the conversation, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed the channel's Book of Distinguished Guests, expressing confidence in the inviolability of bilateral ties. The very fact of addressing CGTN's multi-million audience was a significant event, allowing the international community to hear firsthand about the domestic and foreign policy priorities of modern Turkmenistan.
We highlighted the main themes of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's conversation with CGTN host He Yanke, in which the National Leader outlined the architecture of Turkmen-Chinese cooperation.
Modern relations between Turkmenistan and China are underpinned by a unique historical foundation, which the National Leader of the Turkmen people characterizes as an unbreakable link between the ages. The "Oath of Allegiance," concluded by the ancestors of the two peoples as far back as 49 BC, symbolizes this continuity. It is this spirit of unwavering principles that is being revived today in the format of a comprehensive strategic partnership. As the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty noted, China was one of the first states to establish diplomatic relations with independent Turkmenistan in 1992, and since then, interaction has only gained momentum, becoming a powerful factor in regional stability.
Political Vector: Unity of Positions and Mutual Support
The high-level Turkmen-Chinese dialogue is distinguished by an exceptional level of trust and transparency. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan consistently adheres to the "one China" policy, recognizing the Chinese government as the sole legitimate representative of the Chinese people.
In turn, Beijing is a staunch supporter of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality and its international initiatives within the UN. This synergy is also evident in multilateral formats such as the Central Asia-China Forum and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where Turkmenistan participates as an honorary guest, contributing to the collective security architecture.
Energy Diplomacy: Gas Pipeline as the Bridge of the Future
The fuel-energy sector remains the strategic core of bilateral ties. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov cited impressive statistics: since the launch of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline in 2009, approximately 460 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been supplied to China. Today, the two sides are working toward the ambitious goal of increasing annual export volumes to 65 billion cubic meters.
Particular importance is attached to CNPC's participation in the development of the giant Galkynysh field, which guarantees long-term energy security for the entire Asian continent and serves as an example of balancing the interests of producers, transit countries, and consumers.
Logistics Integration and the Revival of the Great Silk Road
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov particularly emphasized the alignment of China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative with Turkmenistan's "Revival of the Great Silk Road" strategy. Tangible results of this process are visible in the transportation sector: 90% of the locomotives and railcars on Turkmenistan's railways are manufactured in China.
The National Leader emphasized that the creation of new East-West transport and transit corridors transforms Central Asia into a land security corridor connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic and creating new industrial belts in Eurasia.
Humanitarian Dialogue and Investments in the Future
The National Leader described cultural and humanitarian ties as "investments in the future." More than 10,000 Turkmen students currently study in China, and the Chinese language is actively studied in Turkmenistan's schools and universities. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed his willingness to facilitate the study of the Turkmen language in China, which will serve as another symbol of mutual understanding.
The topic of horse breeding occupied a special place in the interview. In the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese calendar, the National Leader recalled the ancient tradition of gifting "heavenly" Akhal-Teke horses to Chinese emperors, inviting Chinese horse breeders to actively participate in the events of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association.
Peacekeeping Mission and Global Responsibility
Regarding the international agenda, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty expressed his firm commitment to the principle of "Dialogue is the Guarantee of Peace." He emphasized that there are no winners in modern conflicts and called on the international community to invest ten times more effort in preventing wars than in waging them.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov praised Xi Jinping's global initiatives in the areas of security and development, noting that they are fully consistent with Turkmenistan's neutral course.
Summarizing China's role in the modern world, the National Leader expressed a profound thought: "If everything goes well in China, then everything will go well throughout the world."
The full text of the interview with National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, on the CGTN television channel can be found on the website of the State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH) at this link.
