Energy partnership in the pipeline for China, Turkmenistan
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail
Xinhua, November 23, 2011
Chinese President Hu Jintao pledged on Wednesday to deepen energy cooperation with Turkmenistan and establish a strategic energy partnership following the success of the natural gas pipeline between the two countries opened in 2009.
Hu made the remarks in wide-ranging talks with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, who is on a four-day state visit to China.
After their one-and-a-half-hour meeting, the two presidents signed a joint declaration on deepening bilateral friendly cooperation and an agreement on increasing Turkmenistan's natural gas supply to China, already the largest importer of the product.
Calling the two countries good friends and partners, Hu praised the momentum of bilateral relations since the forging of their diplomatic ties 20 years ago, citing remarkable energy cooperation, frequent high-level visits, expanded trade cooperation and vigorous cultural exchanges.
"China highly values its relations with Turkmenistan," said Hu, adding it is a policy of the Chinese government to develop friendly and cooperative relations with Turkmenistan on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits.
Considering China as a top-priority strategic partner of Turkmenistan, Berdymukhamedov told Hu his country appreciates China's respect for Turkmenistan's neutral country status.
Berdymukhamedov vowed to firmly stick to the one-China policy, support China's peaceful reunification and territorial integrity, and oppose so-called "Taiwan Independence" in any form.
Hu proposed to strengthen political trust with Turkmenistan, enhance high-level exchanges, boost already-substantial cooperation in the energy field and non-energy sectors such as transportation, telecommunications, chemicals, textile and agriculture.
The Chinese president also called on both sides to take the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year to cement cultural exchanges.
Berdymukhamedov agreed to Hu's proposals on boosting bilateral relations, adding China is ready to use the 20th anniversary to enhance high-level exchanges and political dialogues, expanding cooperation in areas including energy, trade, agriculture, culture and education.
The two heads of state agreed to enhance security and law enforcement cooperation, promising joint efforts to fight the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and cross-border crimes.
They also vowed closer coordination in global and regional affairs, to contribute to world peace and common development.
They witnessed the signing of another 12 cooperation agreements, ranging from loans to purchase oil and gas equipment, to public security cooperation, to mutual recognition of academic degrees, to anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism.
China and Turkmenistan launched a natural gas pipeline in central Asia in December 2009. The 1,833-km pipe, starting from the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and running through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan before reaching northwest China's Xinjiang region, has delivered 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China by the end of May this year.
This is Berdymukhamedov's third state visit to China since he assumed the presidency in 2007.
Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao are also scheduled to meet with him on Wednesday.
Berdymukhamedov will then travel to south China's Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)