Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong, who is completing his diplomatic mission in Turkmenistan, recently met with Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov. During a friendly conversation, the parties discussed a number of topical issues of Turkmen-Chinese relations at the present stage. Although such connections, as the historical chronicles testify, existed before the Great Silk Road.

Turkmenistan, like the People's Republic of China, believes that it is necessary to unite efforts to adequately respond to global challenges, to follow the historical trend – peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit. This is what determines the content and direction of the Turkmen-Chinese cooperation, its mutually beneficial and constructive nature.

Strategic partnership in the energy sector meets the economic interests of both parties; mutual interest in the ancient culture of our peoples enriches and promotes mutual understanding. In Turkmen schools, children learn Chinese, and in universities of the PRC, young Turkmen people receive professions in demand by the growing Turkmen economy, master the latest technologies, in the development of which China is one of the world leaders.

Representatives of Turkmenistan can directly participate in innovative forums such as "Intellect + Transport", which was recently held in Beijing under the auspices of the China Smart Transport Association on the sidelines of an even larger forum – Zhongguancun 2020 (ZGC).

There, the Turkmen delegation got acquainted with various exhibits and stands, held negotiations with representatives of companies in order to establish interaction with Turkmen colleagues in such areas as modern communication systems, robotics, innovative industry, healthcare and improving the quality of life.

At the mentioned meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Sun Weidong expressed gratitude to the government of Turkmenistan for all-round assistance in the implementation of its diplomatic mission. As the ambassador, who has worked in Turkmenistan for four years, noted, this period became a significant stage in his diplomatic career.

In turn, the Chinese ambassador was grateful for his personal contribution to the development of interstate relations, and this is not just a standard norm of diplomatic protocol.

The high assessment of this contribution by the Turkmen side is based on the multilateral activities of a representative of a friendly country, who for four years has actively participated in the social and political life of the country, cultural events, provided comprehensive support for cooperation projects in the economy, cultural, scientific and educational spheres.

Largely thanks to the efforts of Sun Weidong, cooperation between the two countries in the most important information sphere has reached a new level. Thus, with the support of the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, documents on cooperation in the exchange of news materials were concluded between the State News Agency of Turkmenistan and the newspaper of the People's Republic of China "China Daily Multimedia Co., Ltd.", as well as with the Limited Liability Company of the People's Republic of China "CCTV News Content Co., Ltd.".

In continuation of this fruitful work, a number of other cooperation projects have been prepared, in particular, draft memoranda of cooperation in the field of exchange of news materials between the State News Agency of Turkmenistan with one of the largest newspapers in the world "People's Daily", with the International Radio of the People's Republic of China and the Xinhua News Agency. …

The implementation of these projects will significantly expand the information field and the international audience for materials about the life of Turkmenistan, its achievements and plans for the future.

The Turkmen people always have great respect for their foreign friends and partners, especially those who worked in a sunny country and had the opportunity to personally see the openness and hospitality of our people.

Therefore, wishing Mr. Sun Weidong success in his future career, Turkmenistan will be glad to see him again on its land, which, he claims, has become his homeland.