President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave an interview to Chinese journalists on the eve of a state visit to the People’s Republic of China.
The interview started with the congratulations on the 290th birthdate anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi that is widely celebrated this year in Turkmenistan and in many countries all around the world, including China. The first question asked was about the existing situation and the prospects of development of the bilateral relations.
The Turkmen leader noted that Magtymguly in his works mentioned about China and even though there were no documentary evidences of that the great poet had visited China, some of his poetry lines literally translated as “I went to China, Rum (i.e. Turkey) and Khorezm in search of my destiny and happiness”.
The Turkmen leader continued that the origins of the Turkmen-Chinese relations were rooted back to deep ancient times. they gained the clearer form more than 2,000 years ago due to the Great Silk Road. This largest for those times ‘transport corridor’ connected the city of Xi’an (the ancient capital of China) with the Turkmen city of Merv (Mary at present).
At present, China is an important strategic partner of Turkmenistan. Our intergovernmental relations have always been efficient and constructive and have received new incentive for development in recent years. Today, China ranks the first in the large list of trade partners of Turkmenistan. Within the last five years, starting from 2009, the growth rate of the trade turnover between our con tries increases as many as six times. In 2013, the growth rate of the trade turnover made up 105.4 percent as compare to 2012.
Speaking about the prospects and significance of cooperation between Turkmenistan and China in the power energy sphere, the President noted that Turkmenistan - China - the world largest gas pipeline had become the Great Silk Road of modern times. This main gas pipeline laying across the territory of a number of countries consider the interests of all participants of the energy partnership, including producers, transit countries and consumers that promote strengthening stability and prosperity of huge regions.
At present, due to the joint efforts, Turkmen gas is supplied to many parts of China, including the coast of the Pacific Ocean. But it doesn’t limit our capacities. The ceremony of opening of the second turn of the objects at the Bagtyyarlyk deposit took place on May 7, on the eve of the visit to the People’s Republic of China and next day, May 8, - the foundation of the second turn of objects at the Galkynysh deposit was laid. Turkmenistan continues implementation of the energy strategy on increasing the volumes of production and processing of oil and gas, diversifying the export of energy sources to various countries at the Eurasian continent.
Answering the question regarding the regional transport cooperation, the President noted that large-scale projects were implemented in order to transform Turkmenistan into an important link of the world communication space. The North-South transit and transport corridor and its connection to the East-West transcontinental corridor opens up vast opportunities to enter the markets of Europe, the Middle East, Central, South and South-Eastern Asia.
Within the framework of the Programme on development of the sphere of transport and communication of Turkmenistan in 2012-2016, Turkmenistan purchases state-of-the-art aircrafts, ships, railway vehicles, trucks and passenger cars manufactured by the world leading producers. New large consignments of comfortable railroad passenger cars were delivered to Turkmenistan from China these days. Turkmenistan also purchased locomotives, freight cars, and railway equipment from China.
Moreover, Turkmenistan builds modern terminals, railway stations, engineering and technological facilities that satisfy the highest international requirements. All this contributes to reviving the Great Silk Road and makes the huge potential of Turkmen-Chinese cooperation in the transport and communication sphere more important.
Touching upon the special forum of the International Association of Ahalteke Horse Breeding in Beijing, the Turkmen leader underlined the significance of this event in popularization of this unique horse breed and expressed gratitude to the government of the People’s Republic of China for their attention and respect to ‘heavenly’ gorses - a national pride of the people of Turkmenistan.
In this context, the President of Turkmenistan told that according to chroniclers Emperor Wu-Di had offered rewards for anyone who could find a mysterious horse breed that was mentioned breeding in the Central Asia, but rarely seen in China and in 102 BC the Chinese army under the leadership of Wu-Di came to Central Asia for the first time and got 2,000 Ahalteke horses as well as seeds of lucerne for those horses.
The President emphasized that the national art of horse breeding gained new boundaries and reached a wide international level due to such events as the special forum of the International Association of Ahalteke Horse Breeding in Beijing.
The President also focused on the national model of development of tourism in Turkmenistan. The tUrkmen leader said that tourism was strategically important for Turkmenistan that possesses unique natural potential with favourable ecology, rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
Our country carries out large-scale work to study international experience in this sphere, including the experience of China. In conclusion, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov once again underlined that Turkmenistan and China were connected with the unique historical experience of the great Silk Road that is very popular in modern tourist projects as well.
The interview started with the congratulations on the 290th birthdate anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi that is widely celebrated this year in Turkmenistan and in many countries all around the world, including China. The first question asked was about the existing situation and the prospects of development of the bilateral relations.
The Turkmen leader noted that Magtymguly in his works mentioned about China and even though there were no documentary evidences of that the great poet had visited China, some of his poetry lines literally translated as “I went to China, Rum (i.e. Turkey) and Khorezm in search of my destiny and happiness”.
The Turkmen leader continued that the origins of the Turkmen-Chinese relations were rooted back to deep ancient times. they gained the clearer form more than 2,000 years ago due to the Great Silk Road. This largest for those times ‘transport corridor’ connected the city of Xi’an (the ancient capital of China) with the Turkmen city of Merv (Mary at present).
At present, China is an important strategic partner of Turkmenistan. Our intergovernmental relations have always been efficient and constructive and have received new incentive for development in recent years. Today, China ranks the first in the large list of trade partners of Turkmenistan. Within the last five years, starting from 2009, the growth rate of the trade turnover between our con tries increases as many as six times. In 2013, the growth rate of the trade turnover made up 105.4 percent as compare to 2012.
Speaking about the prospects and significance of cooperation between Turkmenistan and China in the power energy sphere, the President noted that Turkmenistan - China - the world largest gas pipeline had become the Great Silk Road of modern times. This main gas pipeline laying across the territory of a number of countries consider the interests of all participants of the energy partnership, including producers, transit countries and consumers that promote strengthening stability and prosperity of huge regions.
At present, due to the joint efforts, Turkmen gas is supplied to many parts of China, including the coast of the Pacific Ocean. But it doesn’t limit our capacities. The ceremony of opening of the second turn of the objects at the Bagtyyarlyk deposit took place on May 7, on the eve of the visit to the People’s Republic of China and next day, May 8, - the foundation of the second turn of objects at the Galkynysh deposit was laid. Turkmenistan continues implementation of the energy strategy on increasing the volumes of production and processing of oil and gas, diversifying the export of energy sources to various countries at the Eurasian continent.
Answering the question regarding the regional transport cooperation, the President noted that large-scale projects were implemented in order to transform Turkmenistan into an important link of the world communication space. The North-South transit and transport corridor and its connection to the East-West transcontinental corridor opens up vast opportunities to enter the markets of Europe, the Middle East, Central, South and South-Eastern Asia.
Within the framework of the Programme on development of the sphere of transport and communication of Turkmenistan in 2012-2016, Turkmenistan purchases state-of-the-art aircrafts, ships, railway vehicles, trucks and passenger cars manufactured by the world leading producers. New large consignments of comfortable railroad passenger cars were delivered to Turkmenistan from China these days. Turkmenistan also purchased locomotives, freight cars, and railway equipment from China.
Moreover, Turkmenistan builds modern terminals, railway stations, engineering and technological facilities that satisfy the highest international requirements. All this contributes to reviving the Great Silk Road and makes the huge potential of Turkmen-Chinese cooperation in the transport and communication sphere more important.
Touching upon the special forum of the International Association of Ahalteke Horse Breeding in Beijing, the Turkmen leader underlined the significance of this event in popularization of this unique horse breed and expressed gratitude to the government of the People’s Republic of China for their attention and respect to ‘heavenly’ gorses - a national pride of the people of Turkmenistan.
In this context, the President of Turkmenistan told that according to chroniclers Emperor Wu-Di had offered rewards for anyone who could find a mysterious horse breed that was mentioned breeding in the Central Asia, but rarely seen in China and in 102 BC the Chinese army under the leadership of Wu-Di came to Central Asia for the first time and got 2,000 Ahalteke horses as well as seeds of lucerne for those horses.
The President emphasized that the national art of horse breeding gained new boundaries and reached a wide international level due to such events as the special forum of the International Association of Ahalteke Horse Breeding in Beijing.
The President also focused on the national model of development of tourism in Turkmenistan. The tUrkmen leader said that tourism was strategically important for Turkmenistan that possesses unique natural potential with favourable ecology, rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
Our country carries out large-scale work to study international experience in this sphere, including the experience of China. In conclusion, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov once again underlined that Turkmenistan and China were connected with the unique historical experience of the great Silk Road that is very popular in modern tourist projects as well.