China is strengthening its presence in Central Asia by increasing gas imports from Turkmenistan and expanding trade and infrastructure cooperation with Kyrgyzstan.
During talks in Beijing with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for increased supplies of Turkmen natural gas and a broader expansion of bilateral cooperation. He emphasised the need to move beyond hydrocarbons, highlighting sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and clean energy as new areas of focus.
China also proposed aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with Turkmenistan’s development strategy, including the implementation of joint projects in education and healthcare. Beijing reaffirmed its support for Turkmenistan’s sovereignty and neutrality, and expressed readiness to strengthen coordination on international platforms such as the United Nations, alongside joint efforts to counter terrorism, extremism and separatism.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow confirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with China, particularly in energy, trade and infrastructure, underlining the continued importance of bilateral energy ties.
A central pillar of this relationship is the Central Asia–China gas pipeline system, comprising three parallel lines - A, B and C - stretching 1,833 kilometres across Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan into China. With a combined annual capacity of 55 billion cubic metres, it remains a key component of China’s energy supply.
In 2025, China imported Turkmen gas worth $8.41 billion, reinforcing Turkmenistan’s role as one of its leading suppliers. China has remained the country’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years and is the principal buyer of its pipeline gas.
Alongside its energy engagement with Turkmenistan, China is also expanding economic ties with Kyrgyzstan. Bilateral trade reached a record $27.2 billion in 2025, marking a 20% increase year on year, while Kyrgyz exports to China rose by 86%, reflecting improved access to the Chinese market.
According to Chinese Ambassador to Bishkek Liu Jiangping, the two countries maintain a comprehensive strategic partnership supported by active political dialogue. In 2025, Xi Jinping and President Sadyr Japarov met three times, highlighting the intensity of bilateral engagement.
Key cooperation projects include the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the Barskoon–Bedel road, and the supply of Chinese buses. In the energy sector, projects include a waste-to-energy plant in Bishkek and a 100 MW solar power station in the Chuy region. Trade flows are also diversifying, with increased exports of Kyrgyz dried fruits and honey.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held more than three hours of talks with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on efforts to end t...
U.S. forces have struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran launched ballistic missiles at two Navy ships, according to U.S. Central Command. ...
Two Greek military pilots were killed on Saturday when an F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed during an air show at Tanagra air base, north of Athens, ...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
An Iranian tanker was hit by U.S. forces on Saturday near Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Gulf, the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported.
Two people have been rescued alive from a tunnel in Nepal, nine days after catastrophic floods devastated the country, as rescuers continue searching for survivors.
A unique architectural monument dating back to the 9th to 12th centuries has been discovered in the village of Gargara, in the Korez village commune in Dangara district in Tajikistan.
Japan and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime have launched a $9.4 million, two-year project across five Afghan provinces to help former poppy-growing families and expand drug prevention and treatment services.
For centuries, Lahore has been shaped by the people, cultures and empires that passed through it. Now, the Pakistani city is preparing to put that rich history before a wider regional audience.
Israel is ready to move Palestinians from Gaza as soon as the U.S. approves, the country’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has said. He told a conference hosted by Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Wednesday that there was “no real solution” for Gaza without migration.
Flights between Central Asia and Russia have faced widespread disruption, with aircraft diverted, turned back or cancelled amid restrictions in Russian airspace and conflicting claims from Moscow and Kyiv over aviation safety.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment