Once upon a time, thousands of years ago, the first caravans with silk, spices, jewelry and knowledge crossed the vast expanses of Asia. Thus, the Great Silk Road brought the East and the West closer together, turning the lands into busy crossroads and creating a unique network of trade, culture and diplomacy.

These routes also passed through the lands that are now occupied by Turkmenistan - a country that historically played one of the key roles in ensuring transit between civilizations.

Today, in the 21st century, China, as the successor to the ancient trading tradition, is giving this idea a new lease of life at the global level, re-forming economic ties. Only now, instead of caravans - high-speed railways, pipelines and digital corridors. And instead of caravanserais and oasis cities - modern logistics hubs and industrial zones.

But even today, Turkmenistan finds itself at the crossroads of these routes, becoming, as in ancient times, an important link in this historical process.

Over the past decades, China has become one of the largest economic centers in the world, a global economic engine, becoming the largest trading partner of dozens of countries on different continents.

The People's Republic of China ranks first in terms of trade in goods, second in GDP, and is one of the main investors in infrastructure projects in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

…The international strategy of official Beijing is based on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at restoring and developing transport, energy, digital, and financial infrastructure between continents. It covers more than 150 countries, becoming a symbol of a new stage of globalization with an oriental face.

Some are happy about this, but there are those who are scared. Therefore, they claim that this Chinese initiative is essentially a dangerous "soft power" that is gradually taking over the entire world.

However, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted at the High-Level Forum in Beijing in October 2023:

"The Belt and Road" is not a geopolitical tool, but a platform for joint development and mutual benefit. We strive to build an open and interconnected Eurasia."

Central Asia, with its unique geographical location, is becoming a key link in the land part of the "Belt and Road", an essential component connecting China with South Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

In other words, it is Central Asia that is the key to all of Eurasia for China. Therefore, China is consistently increasing trade and economic cooperation with all countries in the region.

Speaking in Astana in 2023, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted:

"Central Asia is not just China's neighbors, it is key partners in building a community of shared destiny. Energy, transport, green economy - we see great potential here."

An important area is the creation of transcontinental land corridors, such as China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran or China-Central Asia-Caspian-South Caucasus-Europe.

…As for Turkmenistan specifically, this country, with its strategic location and energy potential, occupies a special place in China's trade policy and economic diplomacy.

At a meeting with the leader of the People's Republic of China in Beijing in January 2024, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized:

"Turkmenistan views China as one of its main foreign economic partners and a reliable ally. We advocate deepening multifaceted cooperation based on the principles of equality and mutual respect."

Since the early 2000s, China has become one of Turkmenistan's key economic partners. Energy is the basis of bilateral relations, thanks to the commissioning of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline in 2009, passing through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which was a real breakthrough in regional energy cooperation.

Today, China, as the largest buyer of Turkmen gas, ensures sustainable exports and stable foreign exchange earnings for our country's economy. China has invested heavily in production and transportation infrastructure, including the development of the Galkynysh field, one of the largest in the world.

But our bilateral relations are not limited to energy. Chinese companies are involved in construction, telecommunications, agricultural technology and digital transformation.

What is the future potential of Turkmen-Chinese relations?

Given the trends in bilateral relations and the situation developing in the region, this is the progressive development of transport and logistics hubs within the framework of the conjugation of Turkmenistan's strategy to revive the Great Silk Road and China's Belt and Road initiative.

At the same time, such areas as the introduction of green technologies in industry and energy, as well as investments in digital transformation and intelligent infrastructure will be in demand.

It seems promising to expand the range of trade products through the supply of agricultural products, textiles and processing. And, of course, the continuation of the implementation of joint initiatives in the field of education and professional training.

It is also necessary to take into account that in March of this year, a forum on neutrality was held in Ashgabat, where representatives of the PRC confirmed their readiness to intensify projects to achieve sustainable development goals.

Thus, China has become not just a major economic partner of Turkmenistan and Central Asia as a whole, but a strategic ally in matters of sustainable development, energy security and regional stability.

And as in ancient times, when trade caravans went along the Great Silk Road, today these routes are gaining new life – in the form of infrastructure corridors, transport arteries and common economic projects.

The Turkmen-Chinese partnership is based not only on the economy, but also on historical logic: the countries are connected by the Great Silk Road, strategic interests and a common outlook on the future.

And the example of Turkmenistan shows how a neutral country can be an active participant in regional processes, while maintaining balance and independence.

Thus, the great past becomes the basis for an equally great future – for the benefit of the peoples connecting the East and the West.

Bekdurdy AMANSARYEV