President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, First Deputy Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Ding Xuexiang, who arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the 6th meeting of the Turkmen-Chinese Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, TDH reports.

 During the meeting, it was emphasized that the bilateral partnership, which is strategic and long-term in nature, is effectively developing at the highest state, government and ministerial levels.  At the same time, inter-parliamentary and inter-party ties are intensifying.  Interregional cooperation has also received a new impetus, the news agency notes.

 The guest conveyed cordial greetings and best wishes from President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang to the President and Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of the country.  In this regard, it was noted that China attaches great importance to strengthening friendship and fruitful cooperation with Turkmenistan.

 Having conveyed return greetings and best wishes to the top leadership of China, the head of Turkmenistan emphasized the dynamic nature of interstate relations developing in various fields.  A significant role in coordinating joint efforts is assigned to the Turkmen-Chinese intergovernmental committee.

 Having exchanged views on the agenda of the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee, the interlocutors expressed confidence that the results of the meeting would serve to bring friendly Turkmen-Chinese relations to new levels.

 Speaking about the great importance of high-level negotiations in increasing interstate cooperation, Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that he warmly recalls his meetings with Xi Jinping during his visits to China this year.  Recently, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty also visited Beijing, where he took part in the Third Belt and Road Forum and held productive negotiations with the Chinese leadership, including with a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, First Deputy Prime Minister of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.  In this regard, it was emphasized that currently an important task is the implementation of the agreements reached during these visits.

 It was noted that in recent years, Turkmen-Chinese cooperation in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres has acquired a qualitatively new content.  For many years, China has been the largest foreign economic partner of Turkmenistan.  Partnerships in the energy sector were cited as an example of mutually beneficial relations.