China aims to strengthen cooperation in energy sector and in other areas with Turkmenistan as next year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic ties, the Chinese State media cites the Chinese President Xi Jinping as saying during a telephone conversation with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on Thursday.
Xi said the two countries should seize the opportunity to comprehensively expand their cooperation and provide momentum for the two countries' development and revitalization.
President Xi added that China is willing to strengthen energy ties with Turkmenistan, noting that their cooperation in natural gas is a clear manifestation of the two countries' mutually beneficial, win-win relationship.
China is willing to import more quality products from Turkmenistan, expand their digital and aerospace cooperation, and share the opportunities brought by China's large market to realize the two countries' common prosperity, according to the report.
He added that China and Turkmenistan have made significant contributions to the global fight against the pandemic. With the world still grappling with COVID-19, China is willing to continue to cooperate with Turkmenistan in fighting the pandemic, especially in vaccine cooperation.
In turn, the Turkmen Leader said the country appreciates China's support to its status of permanent neutrality and Turkmenistan cherishes and attaches great importance to its friendship with China.
The President Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmenistan is willing to strengthen its cooperation with China in areas including natural gas, trade, cross-border transportation, healthcare and fight against COVID-19.
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.
