On April 16, the international scientific and practical conference "Turkmenistan – People's Republic of China: 20 Years of Strategic Partnership in the Gas Sector" was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ashgabat. The event was attended by heads of relevant agencies from both countries, representatives of leading oil and gas companies, and international experts. The forum was initiated by National Leader of the Turkmen People Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during his recent visit to China. The Head of the Khalk Maslakhaty (People’s Council) voiced this proposal during a meeting with CNPC management.

The Turkmen-Chinese energy partnership not only serves the economic interests of the two countries but also contributes to energy security at the regional and global levels. As a result of Turkmenistan's successful energy diplomacy, the Turkmenistan–China transnational gas pipeline has gone down in history as one of the largest projects of the century.

The next stage of development of one of the world's largest gas fields, Galkynysh, as well as the construction of new branches of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, demonstrate that joint energy projects will serve as a solid foundation for sustainable development and economic stability in the region.

Speaking at the forum, Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee and First Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, stated that cooperation between Turkmenistan and China in the gas sector is the most significant and sustainable example of a strategic partnership in the modern world, TDH reports.

Ding Xuexiang emphasized that Turkmenistan is China's largest and most reliable partner in natural gas supplies, emphasizing the vital role of the transnational gas pipeline in supporting the economic growth of both countries. Ding Xuexiang confirmed China's readiness to further exchange experience with Turkmenistan in the application of modern low-carbon technologies in natural gas production and transportation.

Dai Houliang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), outlined the prospects for a strategic partnership, noting that expanding existing capacity and deepening cooperation play a crucial role in meeting China's rapidly growing energy demand and ensuring energy stability throughout the region.

Following the high-level plenary session, a signing ceremony was held between the Turkmengas State Concern and CNPC Amudarya Petroleum Company Ltd. for the design and construction of turnkey facilities for the production of 10 billion cubic meters of marketable gas per year, along with production wells to achieve this production volume, as part of the fourth stage of the Galkynysh field development.

The international conference continued with thematic sessions devoted to Turkmenistan's priority gas projects, the development of export infrastructure, including the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline, the role of engineering and digital solutions in ensuring the security and stability of energy supplies, as well as personnel training, scientific and educational cooperation, and environmental sustainability.

The forum confirmed that twenty years of joint experience have formed a unique model of cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, and commercial benefit.