China–Turkmenistan relations explained

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]

History

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

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

  1. Web site: Xi Jinping Exchanges Messages of Congratulations with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-Turkmenistan Diplomatic Relations . 2022-04-07 . lr.china-embassy.org.
  2. Web site: China entered into diplomatic relations with independent former Soviet republics . 2022-04-07 . www.fmprc.gov.cn.
  3. Web site: China (CHN) and Turkmenistan (TKM) Trade | OEC .
  4. News: Gizitdinov . Nariman . 6 June 2023 . China Edging Out Russia as Sanctions Redraw Kazakhstan Trade . . 7 June 2023.
  5. News: 15 July 2019 . Which Countries Are For or Against China's Xinjiang Policies? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190716160658/https://thediplomat.com/2019/07/which-countries-are-for-or-against-chinas-xinjiang-policies/ . 16 July 2019 . 13 May 2024 . The Diplomat.
  6. News: 12 July 2019 . Saudi Arabia and Russia among 37 states backing China's Xinjiang policy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191210040248/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-xinjiang-rights/saudi-arabia-and-russia-among-37-states-backing-chinas-xinjiang-policy-idUSKCN1U721X . 2019-12-10 . 2019-07-13 . Reuters.
  7. News: Basu . Zachary . 8 October 2020 . Mapped: More countries sign UN statement condemning China's mass detentions in Xinjiang . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201101165353/https://www.axios.com/un-statement-china-uighurs-xinjiang-6b29dbf5-b93c-4c70-bd4c-333e1c23471f.html . 1 November 2020 . 18 December 2020 . Axios.
  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. News: Daniel Kimmage . 2006-04-10 . Central Asia: Turkmenistan-China Pipeline Project Has Far-Reaching Implications . . 2007-07-27.
  10. News: 2007-07-26 . Analysis: Turkmen Gas Deal Extends Chinese Influence . BBC Monitoring Central Asia . Downstream Today . 2007-07-27.
  11. News: 2007-07-04 . Turkmenistan to join China, Kazakhstan pipeline project – KazMunaiGas EP CEO . . . 2007-07-27.
  12. News: Gurt . Marat . 2009-12-14 . China extends influence into C.Asia with pipeline . . 2009-12-14.
  13. News: Philip H. de Leon . 2009-12-22 . China secures gas from Turkmenistan: Who's the real winner? . Resource Investor . 2009-12-23.

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