On March 17, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, who was accompanying National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on his visit to China.

Wang Yi stated that Chairman Berdimuhamedov is an old friend of the Chinese people. The top leaders of China and Turkmenistan share firm mutual trust and profound friendship, providing crucial strategic guidance for the steady development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides. This visit by Chairman Berdimuhamedov is a significant event in China-Turkmenistan relations this year. It is believed that leaders of the two countries will engage in in-depth strategic communications on deepening bilateral relations and jointly addressing global challenges, and will reach new important consensus.

Wang Yi emphasized that China and Turkmenistan are good friends with sincere mutual trust and good partners dedicated to win-win cooperation. It is essential to carry forward the tradition of friendship, firmly support each other, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and ensure that China-Turkmenistan relations continue to advance in the right direction charted by the heads of state of both countries.

Rashid Meredov extended congratulations on the successful conclusion of China’s national “two sessions”. He expressed gratitude to China for the warm hospitality accorded to Chairman Berdimuhamedov during his visit in China, stating that the top leaders of Turkmenistan and China maintain a high level of mutual trust and friendship. He was confident that this visit would yield fruitful results, further consolidate the enduring friendship between the peoples of the two countries, and promote exchanges and cooperation across various fields. Turkmenistan supports the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping. Turkmenistan is willing to work closely with China in multilateral cooperation, jointly make thorough preparations for the third China-Central Asia Summit, and promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, including the situation in Iran.