President Xi praises role of Turkmenistan

President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov congratulating his country on the 25th anniversary of its status of permanent neutrality.

Xi noted that since it obtained that status, Turkmenistan has actively developed friendly and cooperative relations with countries around the world, and made significant contributions to safeguarding peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

A steadily developing and increasingly enriched strategic partnership between China and Turkmenistan serves the common interests of both countries, Xi pointed out.

Stressing that he attaches great importance to the bilateral relations, Xi said he stands ready to work with Berdimuhamedov to continuously advance the China-Turkmenistan strategic partnership that will better benefit the peoples of both countries.

Turkmenistan was recognized as a permanently neutral state by the United Nations in December 1995, and it is the only Asian country that has adopted the status.

The constitution of Turkmenistan states that the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan is the basis of its foreign policy, requiring the country to adhere to principles of peacefulness and noninterference in the affairs of other countries.

Turkmenistan is obliged to never become a member of any economic, political, or military alliances and blocs.

The Central Asian country has held various events, including an exhibition in Geneva and an international conference in its capital, to honor the anniversary.

China and Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations in 1992.In September 2013, Xi paid a state visit to the country, and the two nations established the strategic partnership.

Xinhua and China Daily