China–Turkmenistan relations

China–Turkmenistan relations are the bilateral relationship between China and Turkmenistan. China was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan after it declared independence.[1] On January 6, 1992, China signed communiqués on the establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan.[2]

China–Turkmenistan relations
Map indicating locations of China and Turkmenistan

China

Turkmenistan

History

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China is by far Turkmenistan's largest trading partner. In 2020, the China exports to Turkmenistan were valued at $445 US million and Turkmenistan exports to China were valued at $5.3 US billion.[3] In 2022, China accounted for 65% of Turkmenistan's total trade.[4]

In July 2019, UN ambassadors of 37 countries, including Turkmenistan, signed a joint letter to the United Nations Human Rights Council defending China's persecution of Uyghurs.[5][6] Turkmenistan was one of 16 countries that defended China in 2019 but did not do so in 2020.[7]

Energy

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Turkmenistan exports significant amounts of natural gas to China, with more than half of these exports going through the Central Asia–China gas pipeline.[8] On 3 April 2006, China and Turkmenistan signed a framework agreement on a potential pipeline construction and long-term gas supply.[9] In June 2007, during his visit to China, Turkmeni President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow signed an accord to speed up implementation of the Turkmeni-Chinese gas pipeline project.[10] In July 2007, it was formally announced that Turkmenistan will join the original Kazakhstan–China oil pipeline project.[11] The whole pipeline was inaugurated on 14 December 2009.[12]

The pipeline project allowed Turkmenistan to significantly decrease its previous dependence on Russia; previously, nearly 70% of Turkmenistan's gas exports transited through Russian pipelines.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Xi Jinping Exchanges Messages of Congratulations with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-Turkmenistan Diplomatic Relations". lr.china-embassy.org. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  2. ^ "China entered into diplomatic relations with independent former Soviet republics". www.fmprc.gov.cn. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  3. ^ "China (CHN) and Turkmenistan (TKM) Trade | OEC".
  4. ^ Gizitdinov, Nariman (6 June 2023). "China Edging Out Russia as Sanctions Redraw Kazakhstan Trade". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Which Countries Are For or Against China's Xinjiang Policies?". The Diplomat. 15 July 2019. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Saudi Arabia and Russia among 37 states backing China's Xinjiang policy". Reuters. 12 July 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
  7. ^ Basu, Zachary (8 October 2020). "Mapped: More countries sign UN statement condemning China's mass detentions in Xinjiang". Axios. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  8. ^ Vakulchuk, Roman and Indra Overland (2019) “China’s Belt and Road Initiative through the Lens of Central Asia”, in Fanny M. Cheung and Ying-yi Hong (eds) Regional Connection under the Belt and Road Initiative. The Prospects for Economic and Financial Cooperation. London: Routledge, p. 125.
  9. ^ Daniel Kimmage (2006-04-10). "Central Asia: Turkmenistan-China Pipeline Project Has Far-Reaching Implications". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  10. ^ "Analysis: Turkmen Gas Deal Extends Chinese Influence". BBC Monitoring Central Asia. Downstream Today. 2007-07-26. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  11. ^ "Turkmenistan to join China, Kazakhstan pipeline project – KazMunaiGas EP CEO". Forbes. AFX News. 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2007-07-27.[dead link]
  12. ^ Gurt, Marat (2009-12-14). "China extends influence into C.Asia with pipeline". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 8, 2010. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  13. ^ Philip H. de Leon (2009-12-22). "China secures gas from Turkmenistan: Who's the real winner?". Resource Investor. Retrieved 2009-12-23.