TURKMENISTAN–CHINA: A NEW PAGE IN HISTORY
In the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State, under the wise leadership of our Esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is increasingly developing equal, mutually beneficial, and friendly relations with all the countries of the world. Among these relations, the friendship and cooperation established with the People’s Republic of China are of particular importance. As is well known, in 2025, relations between Turkmenistan and China reached new heights. Rooted deep in history and based on friendship and trust, Turkmen–Chinese relations are flourishing today, reflecting our country’s peace-loving foreign policy.
Relations between Turkmenistan and China have a glorious history stretching back millennia. In the III century BC, the Parthian state, which flourished in the territory of present-day Turkmenistan, established diplomatic relations with China. This collaboration left a profound mark on the ancient world. In Chinese sources, Parthia was referred to as “Anxi” and it was praised as a powerful state with hundreds of cities.
Once, the Great Silk Road, which connected our countries served not only as a route for trade and exchange but also as a bridge for cultures, sciences, and human values. Today, this road has been revived and is turning into a powerful force that is bringing our nations closer, strengthening political, economic, and humanitarian ties.
At present, Turkmen–Chinese relations, based on mutual respect, friendship, and consideration of each other’s interests, are developing across a broad spectrum. The strategic partnership between the two states has risen to a new level. In 1991, China was one of the first to recognize Turkmenistan’s independence and diplomatic relations were officially established in January 1992. Since then, cooperation has successfully advanced in political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian fields. China is a reliable partner of Turkmenistan and supports our initiatives within international organizations, including the UN.
Chinese companies are successfully operating in Turkmenistan across various sectors. Chinese entrepreneurs actively purchase Turkmen products at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange, including cotton, iodine, bromine, and petroleum products. Since 1994, Chinese has been taught to students of the Dovletmamet Azady Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, and Chinese is also taught as a second language in other higher educational institutions and secondary schools and Turkmenistan’s television channels also broadcast programs in Chinese. Moreover, Turkmen youth study at prestigious Chinese universities, which further strengthens scientific and cultural ties.
In 2021, the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Science and Technology of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of science, technology, and innovation. This agreement has opened wide opportunities for the implementation of joint scientific projects.
From August 30 to September 3, 2025, the visit of our Esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to China opened a new page in the friendship between the two nations. Today, Turkmen–Chinese cooperation is successfully developing in trade and economy, energy, transport and communications, culture, and humanitarian fields. The legacy of the Great Silk Road, which once united our nations, continues to shed its bright light, strengthening cooperation in modern times.
The approaches of Turkmenistan and China to key issues of international politics often coincide. Their shared commitment to ensuring peace and stability in Central Asia and the Asia-Pacific region is a clear demonstration of this. The two countries closely cooperate in international organizations, primarily within the UN. China’s support for Turkmenistan’s Neutrality status and its co-sponsorship of UN General Assembly Resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan are highly appreciated.
During the visit of our Esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to China, several important meetings were held, resulting in the signing of numerous documents. Among them were: a Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Lanzhou University; a Memorandum between the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the State Intellectual Property Office of China on cooperation in the field of intellectual property; a Memorandum of Understanding between the Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Fine Arts Museum of Turkmenistan and the National Museum of China; and a Memorandum of bilateral cooperation between the editorial office of the electronic newspaper “Altyn Asyr” (Turkmenistan) and the People’s Daily (People’s Republic of China).
Gulsun KERIMOVA,
the 3rd year student of the Faculty of International Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.