Chinese-Turkmen cooperation in education is developing very successfully thanks to the personal support of the two countries' top leaders, Chinese Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ji Shumin told reporters.

"I would like to particularly emphasize that, thanks to the personal support and attention of the top leaders of our two countries, Chinese-Turkmen cooperation in the field of education is developing very successfully," he said on the sidelines of a scholarship award ceremony for the best students and schoolchildren in Turkmenistan studying Chinese.

The ceremony took place at the Chinese Embassy in Ashgabat. The Chinese Ambassador's Scholarship is a program established by the Chinese diplomatic mission to support talented young people studying Chinese. The first 20 recipients of the scholarship for 2026 were 10 students and 10 schoolchildren.

The selection of winners took place at a Chinese language competition held on May 2 at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages.

According to the diplomat, over 10 000 Turkmen citizens are currently studying in China, and the number of Chinese students in Turkmenistan is also steadily growing. The ambassador noted the mutual interest of the peoples of the two countries in learning each other's languages, cultures, and traditions, calling this a reflection of the comprehensive development of bilateral relations.

Ji Shumin addressed the laureates with parting words, quoting a Chinese proverb: “Learn Chinese, you will find friends all over the world.”