Ashgabat hosted a solemn reception dedicated to the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The event brought together high-ranking diplomats, representatives of international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan, members of the business community, and public figures.
Ji Shumin, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Turkmenistan, addressed the guests with a welcoming speech. He emphasized that China’s socio-economic development has reached significant historic heights. The country has achieved success in aviation, space, high-speed rail transport, automotive manufacturing, clean energy, quantum communication, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
According to Ji Shumin, thanks to the wise policy of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the country has achieved impressive results in state-building and socio-economic development, and has made a significant contribution to ensuring regional and international peace.
The Ambassador stressed that China and Turkmenistan are not only strategic partners but also comrades in the process of modernization and key participants in the "China – Central Asia" mechanism. He noted that bilateral relations are actively developing due to close high-level contacts and cooperation in the energy sector, where China has remained Turkmenistan’s largest trading partner for 14 years.
Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, also highlighted in his speech the long-term nature of the interaction between the two countries. He emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation not only in energy but also in non-resource sectors of the economy such as transport, communications, and textile industry.
Cultural and humanitarian ties are also developing dynamically. As stated, more than six and a half thousand Turkmen students study in China. Around one thousand Turkmen students and over six thousand Turkmen schoolchildren study the Chinese language in Turkmenistan. These figures speak for themselves. Active work on developing intercultural dialogue and expanding economic cooperation with the PRC continues in areas such as education, medicine, sports, and healthcare. Upcoming plans include implementing joint projects such as opening a Center of Chinese Traditional Medicine in Ashgabat and a Luban Workshop at the Yagshigeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas.
An important aspect of bilateral cooperation is the strengthening of trust and mutual understanding, especially in the context of the International Year of Peace and Trust, when Turkmenistan is celebrating the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality and the 34th anniversary of its independence.
Participants of the reception viewed a photo exhibition demonstrating key stages of Turkmen-Chinese relations, as well as books about Chinese culture and history. The organizers invited guests to try on traditional Chinese attire, taste different types of Chinese tea, and sample national cuisine dishes.
