President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave an interview to the representatives of a number of TV channels and authoritative publications of the People's Republic of China. The Press Attache of the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan, Ms. Yu Xiaoshuang, took part in a question-and-answer format talk with the Head of State.

- Dear Mr. President, I am the Press Attache of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Turkmenistan. In a few days, you plan visiting China and taking part in the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. I ask you to agree answering questions from CCTV, CGTN in Russian, the People's Daily newspaper and the Xinhua News Agency.

– First of all, let me thank the management of CCTV and CGTN in Russian for the initiative to organize this interview. Communication with such reputable and respected mass media, which have multimillion audience both in China and far beyond its borders, will certainly contribute to even greater mutual understanding between our two friendly peoples and states.

As for my decision to take part in the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, it is made primarily by the understanding of the enormous importance of this event for the whole planet.

Historically, the Olympic Games always represented peace and friendship among the peoples, the cessation of enmity and wars, the unity of people of different nationalities, political beliefs, their commitment to the high ideals of the Olympic Movement, designed to promote mutual understanding, openness and good feeling among the peoples and states. As the President of Turkmenistan, of a country, committed to these principles in its domestic and foreign policy, I gratefully accepted the proposal of the distinguished Chairman of the People's Republic of China.

– What are your expectations from the Winter Olympic Games?

– I am sure that they will be held at the highest organizational and sporting level, in the spirit of fair competition, respect for each other, with huge audience interest.

We closely followed China's preparations for the Olympiad, we saw how much was done, what magnificent facilities were built, what innovative and high-tech solutions were implemented and used for this purpose.

Once again, your country showed that it is capable to successfully solve the most large-scale tasks.

I am convinced that the upcoming Olympics will bring many outstanding results, will be bright event in the history of global sports, real holiday for millions of people in different parts of the world.

- China was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan in 1992 as well as supported Turkmenistan in pursuing the policy of permanent neutrality. Over the past 30 years, China and Turkmenistan built close, trusting, mutually beneficial and equal relations. In your opinion, in which areas is this cooperation progressing most effectively, contributing to the development and prosperity of both countries, serving the purpose of peace and mutual understanding on the world stage?

– We highly appreciate and will never forget the support provided by China during the formation of Turkmenistan as an independent state, its respect for our neutral status and foreign policy course established on this basis.

In its turn, Turkmenistan always clearly and unambiguously formulates its approaches to issues relevant to our Chinese partners, including those related to the territorial integrity and unity of the People's Republic of China.

We firmly adhere to the "one China" policy, support peaceful development of interbank relations and peaceful unification of China.

For Turkmenistan, China is not just a great state, the world's most powerful economic and industrial center, vast and promising market. It is a reliable and trusted friend. Today, our relations are of a long-term, strategic nature. They passed the test of time, proved their effectiveness and are currently a serious factor of stability and development in the Eurasian space.

Proximity of our worldview, goals and objectives in the issues of global peace and security unite us with China. This allows our two countries to successfully interacting on the world stage, within the framework of major international organizations, primarily, the United Nations, to supporting each other, coordinating political and diplomatic efforts to promote and implement constructive solutions. Such nature of our relations meets the genuine interests of the peoples of Turkmenistan and China, has a great positive impact on the development of processes on the Eurasian continent and in the world as a whole.

Discussion of the situation in Central Asia has a special place on the agenda of the Turkmen-Chinese dialogue. Here, the positions of our countries also coincide: both Turkmenistan and the People's Republic of China are for establishment of a solid security system in the region based on the multilateral balance of interests and commitment to political and diplomatic methods of solving emerging problems.

In these matters, both Turkmenistan and China act from the position of responsible members of the world community, making considerable practical contribution to the establishment of regional cooperation mechanisms and supporting positive trends that are observed in the region.

One of the priorities of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the People's Republic of China is the fuel and energy sector. Which, of course, is understandable: our states have huge potential in this sector. The construction and commissioning of the Turkmenistan–China strategic gas pipeline at the end of 2009 proved it.

The implementation of this project was an example of truly partnership relations based on equality, awareness of mutual advantages and large-scale vision of the prospects and opportunities that opened up with the start of the gas pipeline.

This is real, practical implementation of the goal to ensuring a balance of interests of all participants in pipeline energy projects - producers, transiters, and consumers.

Today, we are working on increasing the volume of the Turkmen natural gas supplies, taking into account the growing needs of the economy of the People's Republic of China and the possibilities of Turkmenistan resource base. In this regard, we are ready for a substantive discussion of the possibilities of building the 4th pipeline route from Turkmenistan to China.

Fruitful work is underway within the framework of the Turkmen-Chinese Cooperation Committee, 5 documents were signed at its meeting in November 2021, including a Program of Cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the People's Republic of China for a period of 5 years (2021-2025). We see this Program as a solid foundation for further progress.

Speaking in general, the two states have huge space and prospects for cooperation in politics, economy and trade, transport and energy, investment, high technology, cultural and humanitarian areas.

- China and Turkmenistan launched large-scale initiatives, respectively, "One Belt– One Road" and "Revival of the Great Silk Road". What is your assessment of these two strategies in terms of compliance with long-term mutual interests?

- The existence of objective mutual interests allows Turkmenistan and China to successfully building up partnership in the context of the mentioned strategies implementation. Both of them are designed to give a powerful impetus to the economic development of Eurasia, uniting vast spaces from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean on modern principles, forming interconnected production and technological cycles as well as industrial belts, contributing to the solution of many social problems, improving the quality of life and well-being of the peoples.

I am convinced that the cornerstone of the new representation of geo-economics on our continent should be the diversification of cooperation. This is an objective process, and any of its constructive ideas, strategies and initiatives are designed to complement each other based on the compatibility of interests and long-term goals.

In this context, I believe that the concept of the "Revival of the Great Silk Road" in its philosophy and geo-economic rationale is compatible with the Chinese initiative "One Belt, One Road".

- Like big pandas for China, Akhal-Teke horses are considered national treasure for Turkmenistan. In China, they are also loved and called "heavenly argamaks". These rare animals came to China 2 thousand years ago along the ancient Silk Road. As we know, you are a specialist in the study of horses. In May 2014, you presented an Akhal-Teke horse to China when you and President Xi Jinping attended a meeting of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding and the Opening Ceremony of the Festival of Horse Breeding Culture of China in Beijing.

In your opinion, to promote the long-term development of bilateral relations, in addition to political and economic cooperation, what else do we have to do to expand and deepen exchanges in the areas of culture, education, science and technology, sports and other humanitarian areas?

– The example you mentioned with Akhal-Teke horses is the evidence that Turkmenistan and China are countries with ancient and rich history, and our relations go back to the depths of the centuries.

In this context, the most serious study, comprehension and application of this outstanding heritage to modern realities and conditions require huge layers of historical ties between the peoples of Turkmenistan and China. And here, scientists and historians of our two countries have ample opportunities for fruitful joint work.

The cultural and humanitarian area is one of the key factors in strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between our two countries. Our peoples have mutual interest in the art and literature of Turkmenistan and China, and the states encourage it by providing favorable conditions for broad contacts between representatives of the creative and scientific intellectuals.

We agreed with the leadership of the People's Republic of China to continue paying due attention to it.

The priority vector of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Turkmenistan and China is the educational area. We highly appreciate the willingness of our Chinese partners to accept our young men and women who master technical and humanitarian specialties in the best educational institutions of the People's Republic of China.

Cooperation in sports will also develop. The participation of a representative Chinese delegation in the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat in September 2017 was the evidence of it. I am convinced that the upcoming Winter Olympics will also give a new powerful impetus to the development of sports cooperation between our countries.

In one word, time works for us and for future generations. The potential of cooperation between Turkmenistan and China in the humanitarian area is objectively in demand in the interests of mutual rapprochement of the two peoples and states, and it will have comprehensive state support.

- Mr. President, you are giving this interview during the Spring Festival – Chinese New Year. Taking this opportunity, we would like to ask you to convey New Year's greetings to the Chinese people.

- With pleasure.

Congratulating the people of China on the New Year, I wish from my heart peace and prosperity, fulfillment of all shaped development plans, achievement of new outstanding results in the development of the economy, social area, further steady improvement of the level of well-being and quality of life. I am sure that wise and far-sighted domestic and foreign policy of the leadership of the People's Republic of China will bring new achievements and victories to your country in the coming year!

- Dear Mr. President, thank you for the interview, I wish you a successful and fruitful visit to China. Thank you very much.