Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a meeting with his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov and Turkmen Vice-Premier Serdar Berdimuhamedow in Xi'an on Monday said China is willing to discuss comprehensive cooperation in the field of natural gas with Turkmenistan.
Wang extended his congratulations on the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence. Noting that next year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries, Wang said he hopes the bilateral relations could develop toward a more thriving and resilient direction, the Chinese State media reported on Tuesday.
Calling the bilateral cooperation in natural gas as the "bedrock" of the ties between the two countries, Wang reaffirmed the Turkmen side that China sees the country as its long-term cooperative partner and called for cooperation in broader areas including trade, investment and technology to diversify the country's economy and realize win-win cooperation.
The sides agreed to continue supporting each other and work jointly to defend international norms such as the non-interference principle.
The officials also formulated a five-year plan for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and called for strengthening coordination in maintaining international information security and biosafety.
Turkmen Officials thanked China's support of the country in international affairs and reiterated the country's willingness to enhance ties with China in both economic and international affairs.
The Turkmen delegation’s visit to China’s city of Xi'an lasts from May 9 to May 12. The delegation will also participate in the second China+Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers meeting.
Turkmenistan exports natural gas to China via Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline, comprising three parallel lines A, B, and C as well as an additional line D in construction. Last year, China imported over 39 billion cubic meters of natural gas through the pipeline.