China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has expressed a strong commitment to expanding energy cooperation with Turkmenistan, a move that underscores the growing strategic importance of Central Asia in China's energy security and foreign policy. Speaking on Saturday, Wang highlighted China’s intent to deepen economic and trade relations with Turkmenistan, including boosting energy cooperation, during a meeting with his Turkmen counterpart, Rashid Meredov. Meredov, who is also Turkmenistan’s Vice-President, met Wang on the sidelines of the China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chengdu, a city that has become a focal point for China’s expanding engagement with its Central Asian neighbors.
According to China's state news agency, Xinhua, Wang Yi emphasized China's willingness to further expand trade and investment cooperation with Turkmenistan, particularly in the energy sector. He expressed China's support for encouraging more Chinese enterprises to invest in Turkmenistan, aligning with Beijing's broader goals to enhance its economic footprint in Central Asia, which remains one of the world’s key energy-rich regions.
Turkmenistan, with its vast natural gas reserves, has long been an important partner for China in energy terms, with the Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline playing a central role in delivering Turkmen natural gas to China. The pipeline’s expansion and the increasing volumes of gas exported underlining China’s commitment to securing energy supplies. In 2020, Turkmenistan and China signed agreements to increase natural gas exports, and this latest push by Wang Yi signals further efforts to solidify and grow this vital energy corridor.
Wang Yi's comments come amid a broader geopolitical shift in Central Asia, where China is increasingly asserting its influence through trade, infrastructure, and energy cooperation. The China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which was attended by the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, is part of China’s strategic effort to strengthen relations with the region. Central Asia is becoming increasingly important to China as part of its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which seeks to create more direct economic links between China and Europe, as well as diversify China's energy sources.
China's ties with Turkmenistan, along with other Central Asian nations, are poised to deepen as Beijing continues to push forward with its BRI projects and energy initiatives. For Turkmenistan, the relationship with China provides an avenue to diversify its export markets, reducing dependence on traditional partners like Russia. By expanding trade and energy cooperation, Turkmenistan stands to benefit from improved infrastructure and greater economic stability.
In addition to his discussions with Meredov, Wang Yi also met with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, who is a key figure in an ambitious $8 billion rail project aimed at connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. This project, which will begin in Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang region and pass through southwest Kyrgyzstan before reaching Andijan in eastern Uzbekistan, is a game-changer for regional trade. The new rail route is expected to cut the freight journey between China and Europe by 900 kilometers (560 miles), providing a faster, cheaper alternative to existing routes that typically pass through Russia.
First proposed in the 1990s, the rail project has faced numerous technical, political, and geopolitical challenges. However, with a recent agreement signed in June by the three countries, the project is now moving forward. This rail route is expected to further bolster China’s trade ties with Central Asia while enhancing energy cooperation, especially in the context of China’s growing reliance on energy imports from the region.
The Chengdu meeting also saw Wang Yi meet with Nepalese Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, who was in China to prepare for the visit of Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. The diplomatic discussions reflect China’s broader efforts to strengthen ties with neighboring countries and enhance its global strategic influence. As China deepens its relationships with Turkmenistan and other Central Asian nations, it also works to integrate these countries into its expanding infrastructure network, which is key to the success of the Belt and Road Initiative.
China’s focus on boosting energy ties with Turkmenistan is part of a broader strategy to ensure energy security and to strengthen its presence in Central Asia. The meeting between Wang Yi and Rashid Meredov in Chengdu signifies a deepening of bilateral cooperation, especially in the energy sector, which is central to both nations' economic and geopolitical ambitions.
As China continues to expand its trade, investment, and infrastructure initiatives across Central Asia, Turkmenistan's role as a key energy supplier is likely to grow. Both countries stand to benefit from an enhanced energy partnership, with Turkmenistan gaining access to a reliable and expanding market in China, and China securing a stable and strategic energy partner at the heart of Central Asia. This evolving relationship will have lasting implications for the region’s energy dynamics, geopolitical balance, and economic future.
As Donald Trump gets ready to take office soon, his cabinet picks signal a renewed focus on trade relations with Asia. With a blend of hawkish policymakers and market-oriented figures, Trump’s team suggests a dual strategy aimed at confronting China while leveraging American economic influence
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) released a video showing what it says were a Chinese navy and coast guard vessel taking "aggressive actions" against a routine patrol by it and the fisheries bureau near the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Wednesday (December 4).
China is urging colleges and universities to provide "love education" to emphasise positive views on marriage, love, fertility and family, in a bid to boost the country's flagging birth rate.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian says China is willing to work with Australia. This comes as Beijing lifts trade restrictions on two Australian meat processing facilities, allowing red meat exports to resume.
As Donald Trump gets ready to take office soon, his cabinet picks signal a renewed focus on trade relations with Asia. With a blend of hawkish policymakers and market-oriented figures, Trump’s team suggests a dual strategy aimed at confronting China while leveraging American economic influence
France’s National Assembly on Wednesday is set to debate two no-confidence Wednesday certain to oust the fragile coalition of Prime Minister Michel Barnier. This comes after Barnier decided to overstep parliament to pass the social security budget.
The G20 summit in Cape Town, South Africa, is focusing on financing recovery for nations hit by climate-induced disasters and extending debt relief to developing countries.
There are calls for dismissals in the South Korean government. It's after President Yoon Suk Yeol surprise martial law declaration sparked chaos in Seoul on Tuesday. It lead to mass protests and clashes outside the National Assembly.
Trump's advisers propose Ukraine war peace plans, including freezing battle lines and halting NATO bids. Critics doubt success, citing conflict complexity and Putin's stance. Trump vows swift resolution but details remain unclear.
Negotiations at COP29 in Baku face a critical impasse as sharp divisions over climate finance and fossil fuel commitments threaten progress.
"Come up with the video in its full form," demands the COP29 CEO, Elnur Soltanov, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ. The chief executive has broken his silence on the claims he was using his position to organise potential fossil fuel deals.
Georgia's public ombudsman accused police on Tuesday of inflicting torture on people arrested during six days of big street protests against the government's decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union.
The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov’s official visit to South Korea has resulted in the signing of over 20 agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across critical sectors, including energy, trade, climate change, and education.
Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov met with a delegation from Guinea-Bissau, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Communities Carlos Pinto Pereira.
A telephone conversation took place between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and former Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili.
As Donald Trump gets ready to take office soon, his cabinet picks signal a renewed focus on trade relations with Asia. With a blend of hawkish policymakers and market-oriented figures, Trump’s team suggests a dual strategy aimed at confronting China while leveraging American economic influence
France’s National Assembly on Wednesday is set to debate two no-confidence Wednesday certain to oust the fragile coalition of Prime Minister Michel Barnier. This comes after Barnier decided to overstep parliament to pass the social security budget.
The G20 summit in Cape Town, South Africa, is focusing on financing recovery for nations hit by climate-induced disasters and extending debt relief to developing countries.
There are calls for dismissals in the South Korean government. It's after President Yoon Suk Yeol surprise martial law declaration sparked chaos in Seoul on Tuesday. It lead to mass protests and clashes outside the National Assembly.
Trump's advisers propose Ukraine war peace plans, including freezing battle lines and halting NATO bids. Critics doubt success, citing conflict complexity and Putin's stance. Trump vows swift resolution but details remain unclear.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment