From April 15 to 17, 2026 local time, President Xi Jinping’s Special Representative, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang traveled to Turkmenistan to attend the ground-breaking of the fourth phase of the Galkynysh gas field. During the visit, Ding Xuexiang met separately with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and co-chaired the seventh meeting of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov.

Ding Xuexiang and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov jointly attended the ground-breaking of the fourth phase of the Galkynysh gas field. Ding Xuexiang stated that the construction of the fourth phase of the Galkynysh gas field embodies the ardent expectations of the leaders of both countries and the shared aspirations of the two peoples. The project will further elevate energy cooperation between China and Turkmenistan to a new level. Ding Xuexiang proposed that both sides should prioritize quality and build a premium project, advancing construction to high standard; that both sides should pursue innovation-driven development and make the project a benchmark, setting an example for major natural gas projects; and that both sides should adhere to win-win cooperation and make the project a symbol of friendship, constructing another monument to enhancing China-Turkmenistan friendship.

When meeting with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Ding Xuexiang conveyed President Xi Jinping’s cordial greetings to them, and the Turkmen leaders asked Ding Xuexiang to convey their best wishes to President Xi Jinping.

Ding Xuexiang stated that under the strategic guidance of leaders from both countries, China-Turkmenistan relations have progressed rapidly and steadily, advancing from a friendly and cooperative partnership to a strategic one, and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Mutual support is the core essence of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and China will always support Turkmenistan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as in pursuing a policy of permanent neutrality, and will remain a trustworthy partner for Turkmenistan. China also hopes that Turkmenistan will continue to provide firm support on issues concerning China’s core interests and major concerns.

Ding Xuexiang emphasized that natural gas cooperation has served as a cornerstone of China-Turkmenistan relations and has delivered tangible benefits to both peoples. The two sides should adopt a strategic perspective towards natural gas cooperation and keep long-term interests in mind, work in the same direction and accelerate the implementation of major projects, seize the momentum and make good use of the window of opportunity to expand the scale of natural gas cooperation, and continuously improve the quality and efficiency of energy cooperation. Meanwhile, the two countries should further enhance cooperation in non-resource areas such as connectivity, economy and trade, investment, agriculture, as well as digital economy, and cultivate new growth drivers. They should jointly promote China-Central Asia cooperation and work together with regional countries to seek development and prosperity.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated that the Turkmen side firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports China’s territorial integrity and national unity. Turkmenistan is willing to continuously deepen political mutual trust with China, strengthen the alignment between the Revival of the Great Silk Road strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative, jointly construct the fourth phase of the Galkynysh gas field, consolidate existing achievements, and actively explore new space for cooperation in the natural gas sector.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated that Turkmenistan highly values its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and is ready to deepen traditional friendship with the Chinese side, take natural gas as the priority direction, and strengthen practical cooperation in various fields. Turkmenistan highly appreciates the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and will firmly support China in hosting the third China-Central Asia Summit.

At the seventh meeting of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee, Ding Xuexiang and Rashid Meredov had an in-depth exchange of views and mapped out key cooperation priorities for the next stage. Both sides agreed to strengthen high-level political guidance, deepen the synergy of development strategies, promote more results in all-round cooperation, and make greater contributions to building a China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future. Ding Xuexiang and Rashid Meredov signed the General Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Turkmenistan on the basic principles of cooperation in the gas sector, the Cooperation Program between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Turkmenistan for five years (for 2026-2030), and the Protocol of the seventh meeting of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee. They also witnessed the signing of cooperative documents in other fields, including cultural centers, transport and logistics, artificial intelligence, science and technology, and traditional medicine.

During his visit to Turkmenistan, Ding Xuexiang also attended the opening ceremony of a symposium marking the 20th anniversary of strategic cooperation between China and Turkmenistan in the natural gas sector and the unveiling ceremony of the Luban Workshop in Turkmenistan.