President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov left today for a state visit to the People's Republic of China, reports the State News Agency of Turkmenistan.

Before departure at the Ashgabat International Airport, addressing the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Turkmenistan Qian Naichen, the head of state emphasized that this was the first foreign visit this year.

It is noteworthy that it coincided with a significant date marked on January 6 - the 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and China.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the results of the upcoming visit would give a new impetus to the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation.

Six and a half hours later, the presidential airliner landed at the Beijing Capital International Airport, decorated with the national flags of the two friendly countries. The head of Turkmenistan was greeted at the airstairs by the officials of the host country.

From the airport, the motorcade of the head of Turkmenistan went to the “Diaoyutai” state residence assigned to him for the duration of his visit. In the past, it was the residence of Chinese emperors, and now this natural and architectural complex with more than 800 years of history is one of the main attractions of modern Beijing.

On January 6, the capital of the Celestial Empire will host an official meeting ceremony between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping.

Both countries are pinning great hopes on the forthcoming summit, which is designed to give a powerful impetus to traditional cooperation, built from the outset on a long-term, mutually beneficial basis.

Let us remind that the beginning of a new stage in the development of interstate dialogue was laid by the “Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership Relations between Turkmenistan and the People's Republic of China”, signed in September 2013.

Within the framework of the upcoming Turkmen-Chinese talks, the possibilities of increasing cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, the fuel and energy sector, the chemical industry, transport, communications, agriculture and others will be discussed.

Much attention will be paid to the development of effective mechanisms for enhancing traditional cultural and humanitarian ties that contribute to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the Turkmen and Chinese peoples.

The agreements reached as a result of the negotiations at the highest level will be worthy of reflection in the solid package of bilateral documents being prepared for signing, designed to lay a reliable foundation for the further progressive development of a constructive interstate dialogue and the effective implementation of the existing impressive potential of partnership in various fields.