China–Turkmenistan relations

China–Turkmenistan relations
Map indicating locations of China and Turkmenistan

China

Turkmenistan

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

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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.