China-Turkmenistan co-op consolidates energy corridor

MOSCOW/ASHGABAT - The construction of energy corridor in central Asia is to enter a new stage as Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli called for further energy cooperation with Turkmenistan during his visit to the country.

China will closely cooperate with Turkmenistan in further advancing the construction of natural gas pipelines linking the two countries and jointly boost safe transportation of energy, Zhang said on Wednesday when meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.

He said China is ready to deepen trade and economic cooperation with Turkmenistan, which has given high priority to natural gas programs.

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Zhang also suggested the two sides jointly develop major projects of interconnectivity, infrastructure construction and cargo transit through China's sea ports.

Implementation of consensus

Zhang's trip to the central Asian country is aimed at implementing the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Turkmen counterpart Berdymukhamedov.

In the joint declaration issued during Xi's visit to Turkmenistan last September, the two heads of state pledged to take measures to guarantee a safe and stable operation of Line A and Line B of the Turkmenistan-China natural gas pipelines, as well as a sound implementation of the natural gas project on the right bank of Amu Darya, a major river in central Asia.

When Berdymukhamedov visited China in May, the two countries signed a number of cooperation agreements in such areas as energy, agriculture, transportation, finance, culture and local exchanges.

During Zhang's visit to Turkmenistan, he said the exchange of visits by presidents of the two countries within a year has elevated the China-Turkmenistan strategic partnership to a new height and made important strategic arrangements for bilateral cooperation in all areas.

At the third meeting of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee, Zhang urged the committee to strengthen strategic cooperation on energy by securing safe and stable operation of the natural gas pipelines.

The committee was established in late November 2010 aimed at promoting long-term, pragmatic and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Experts said Zhang's visit will help implement the bilateral agreements reached, promote the building of the Silk Road economic belt, and deepen all-around cooperation.