China and Turkmenistan signed a series of bilateral agreements during the seventh session of their intergovernmental cooperation committee, covering natural gas, artificial intelligence, and transportation and logistics. The Turkmen delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, while Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang headed the Chinese side. The meetings took place during Ding’s April 15–17 visit to Turkmenistan.
Both sides reaffirmed the strategic importance of their long-standing cooperation in the natural gas sector, particularly the operation of the China-Turkmenistan gas pipeline, and highlighted the significance of continued development of the Galkynysh gas field. Ding’s visit included attending the launch ceremony for the fourth phase of the Galkynysh field’s development.
On transportation, the two countries expressed their intent to develop international routes connecting China-Turkmenistan-Caspian Sea-Europe and Turkmenistan-China-Southeast Asia, signaling ambitions to deepen Turkmenistan’s role as a transit hub between East and West.
Among the documents signed was a five-year China-Turkmenistan Government Cooperation Plan covering 2026 to 2030, along with an agreement for the two countries to establish cultural centers in each other’s territory. During the Chinese delegation’s visit, opening ceremonies were also held for Turkmenistan’s first Luban Workshop — a Chinese vocational training initiative — as well as the first phase of a Traditional Chinese Medicine center in the country.
The meetings reflect a broadening of bilateral relations beyond energy, with both nations moving toward deeper collaboration in infrastructure, technology, and people-to-people exchange.
Source: Sputnik News, April 17, 2026
https://sputniknews.cn/20260417/1070834704.html