Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov met with a delegation from China led by Ma Xingrui, a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and First Secretary of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
The two sides discussed a wide range of issues related to the Turkmen-Chinese partnership, including the implementation of agreements reached at the highest levels and during the recent visit of Turkmenistan’s National Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to China in October to participate in the third Belt and Road Forum.
Meredov emphasized the dynamic development of Turkmen-Chinese relations in various areas, attributing this progress to the trusting and friendly dialogue between the two countries’ leaders. He also highlighted the importance of active contacts at the highest level in further strengthening bilateral relations and promoting ties between the two countries’ regions.
Expanding trade and economic ties was a major focus of the discussions. The sides noted the successful cooperation in education, science, cultural exchanges, and the study of the Chinese language in Turkmenistan. They also agreed on the importance of intensifying contacts between the youth of the two countries, recognizing the significance of the Youth Forum of the Countries of Central Asia and China “New Era of the Great Silk Road” currently being held in Mary, Turkmenistan, at the initiative of the Turkmen President.
The two sides also outlined priorities for interaction in agriculture, trade, energy, medicine, education, culture, and tourism, particularly in the context of intensifying interregional ties with the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.