Bilateral Relations of China-Turkmenistan
When we talk about China, it occurs to my mind the Great Silk Road. As it is known, the Great Silk Road as a historical source brings aspiration to current diplomacy. The Silk Road was synonymous with the movement of people, objects and ideas.
We can underline that Great Silk Road affects every aspect of people’s lives as the beginning of the development of the trade routes, its relationships with the Silk Road countries, its opportunities, solutions as well as the Great Silk Road’s cultural influences with all trading world community. We know that the Silk Road stretched from China to Korea and Japan in the East, and connected China with Central Asia to India in the South and to Turkey and Italy in the West.
As our Hero Arkadag notes: “The culture of mutual relations, the interaction of cultures, this is where the great experience of the Great Silk Road is concentrated”. Our country is being located at the crossroads of this road, has become its heart. From this point, the Great Silk Road played an important role in the development of the culture of the East and the West.
In this case, the Great Silk Road was the first step of the current diplomacy for the two countries. In this regard, the relations between our states have a long story. It means that a beneficial process of mutual penetration of cultures, traditions, and worldviews took place between the two people along the Great Silk Road. It proves once more the connection our countries; the Great Silk Road was a bridge not only for mutually beneficial trade exchange, but also for broad civilizational communication.
After gaining our Independence, the priorities of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy are to maximize the promotion of comprehensive peace, stability and security, consistent implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, consolidation of neighborly relations and cooperation in the region. The establishment of diplomatic relations, symbolizing the official start of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, provides an opportunity to consolidate traditionally friendly and mutually beneficial relations with China.
At present, Turkmenistan has established diplomatic relations with more than 150 states of the world. As it is known, China is the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan. On January 6, 1992, China signed communiqués on the establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan. At present, Turkmen-Chinese relations are developing in a wide range of diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties. And now we can proudly say that China is currently one of the most important economic partners of our country.
Our honourable President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmenistan attaches particular importance to the development of strategic relations with China. It should be proudly noted that this year marked a significant anniversary - the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the People's Republic of China.
From this point, it is a great pleasure to add a few valuable statements about the speech of the President of the People’s Republic of China on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan. Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a meeting that since China and Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, the two countries have enjoyed sustained, sound and steady growth of bilateral relations, and the strategic partnership has reached a high level.
It is necessary to mention that at present time, Turkmen-Chinese relations are developing in a wide range of areas based on the principles of mutual respect, friendship and consideration of each other's interests.
As it is known, that China is a major trading partner of our country. One of the key areas of cooperation is the oil and gas sector, where a number of major joint projects have already been implemented. As we know that in Turkmenistan, large Chinese companies are actively working in various fields together with domestic specialists. Strategic cooperation between the two friendly states has also reached a qualitatively new level of development.
We proudly say, comprehensive strengthening of political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties with China is an important vector of the foreign policy strategy of Turkmenistan, under the leadership of ouresteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, implementing the policy of “open doors” and broad international cooperation.
Once more it proves above the visit of our President to China. Within the framework of the state visit to People’s Republic of China, our honourable President held a number of bilateral meetings in Beijing. During the meetings, issues of expansion of multilateral cooperation between Turkmenistan and China, which of strategic nature, were discussed.
According to the diplomatic relations with China , it is also important to mention the development of the traditional cultural relations and the integrate efforts in the field of education, science and culture.
Chemen BAYRIEVA,
Senior teacher of the Department of
World Languages
of the Institute
of International Relations
of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan