On the morning of November 23, 2011, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, who is here for a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state reviewed the past, made planning for the future and reached broad consensus on promoting the sustained and healthy development of bilateral friendly and cooperative relations.
Calling the two countries good friends and partners, Hu praised the momentum of bilateral relations since the forging of their diplomatic ties 20 years ago. He cited remarkable energy cooperation, frequent high-level visits, expanded trade cooperation and vigorous cultural exchanges. "China highly values its relations with Turkmenistan," said Hu, adding it is a consistent policy of the Chinese government to develop friendly and cooperative relations of long-term stability with Turkmenistan on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits. China is willing to maintain mutual support and close cooperation with Turkmenistan to build bilateral friendly and cooperative relations with greater vigor and vitality.
Considering China as a top-priority strategic partner of Turkmenistan, Berdymukhamedov told Hu bilateral relations based on equality, mutual respect and trust are long-term and strategic in nature, which are in the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples. The Turkmen side spoke highly of bilateral relations and pledged to continue strengthening high-level exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields with China and deepen and consolidate the bilateral friendly cooperative relations.
Hu raised a five-point proposal on developing China-Turkmenistan friendly cooperation. First, uplift the level of friendship and mutual trust. Hu proposed to strengthen political trust with Turkmenistan, enhance high-level exchanges and expand exchanges between the governments, legislatures and political parties. Both sides should give full play to the guiding and coordinating role of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee, strengthen dialogue and consultation on major issues of mutual concern and continue to offer mutual firm support to each other. Second, advance pragmatic cooperation. Both sides should deepen energy cooperation and establish a long-term and stable strategic energy partnership. Both sides should boost cooperation in non-resources sectors such as transportation, telecommunications, chemicals, textile, agriculture, medical care and high technology and jointly create a sound environment for cooperation. Third, further expand cooperation in cultural and people-to-people areas. The Chinese president called on both sides to take the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year to well hold cultural day, arts festival and other celebrations and engage in friendly exchanges between the media, youth organizations, localities and non-governmental organizations of the two countries. Fourth, further cooperation in security and law enforcement. Both sides should crack down on "three forces" and transnational organized crime, to maintain their national and regional security and stability. Fifth, keep closer coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs to maintain world peace and promote common development.
Berdymukhamedov agreed to Hu's proposals on boosting bilateral relations, adding Turkmenistan is ready to enhance high-level exchanges and political dialogues and expand cooperation in areas including energy, trade, investment, chemical industry, transport, communications, textiles, agriculture, health care and high technology. Both sides should take the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties to expand cultural and educational exchanges and enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples. The Turkmen side appreciates China's respect for Turkmenistan's neutral country status, firmly supports China's peaceful reunification and territorial integrity, resolutely pursues the one-China policy, and opposes "Taiwan independence" in any form. Turkmenistan deems China an important cooperative partner of safeguarding peace, stability and security in Central Asia and is ready to work with China to strengthen cooperation in combating the "three forces", transnational organized crime and other aspects, enhance consultations and coordination in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations and maintain interests of developing countries. Turkmenistan is ready to work with China to push bilateral friendly cooperative relations to a higher level.
After the talks, the two presidents signed a joint declaration on deepening bilateral friendly cooperation and an agreement on increasing Turkmenistan's natural gas supply to China. They also attended a signing ceremony of relevant cooperation documents and met the press.
Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcome ceremony for his Turkmen counterpart Berdymukhamedov at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. NPC Vice Chairman Isma'il Tiliwaldi, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, CPPCC Vice Chairwoman Zhang Meiying, Vice Chairperson of the China Democratic National Construction Association Zhang Shaoqin, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhu Zhixin and Chinese Ambassador to Turkmenistan Xiao Qinghua attended the ceremony.