Volume 3, issue #25 - 27-10-1998

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China and Turkmenistan strengthen friendly relations

Sept. 1, 1998 Chinese Vice-Premier Li Lanqing met with Turkmen President S.A. Niyazov and stressed the two nations should expand co-operation.
Li extended welcome to Niyazov on behalf of the Chinese government and Premier Zhu Rongji.
Li noted that Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Niyazov reached a wide-ranging consensus and said co-operative documents signed by the two nations will further strengthen friendly relations.
He said China and Turkmenistan are close neighbours with highly complementary economies and great potential for economic and trade co-operation, Li stressed that the two countries should encourage strengthened co-operation between enterprises.
He cautioned, however, that both should pay close attention to the selection of projects and give full consideration to the market in order to gradually expand bilateral co-operation.
Li went on to say that there has been smooth co-operation in the exportation of petroleum machinery and in restoring oil wells. He also pointed out that China is increasing exports to Turkmenistan and is considering the establishment of joint ventures in the country.
He said China has a strong capacity and advanced technology in the production of daily use items and can provide Turkmenistan with finished products or technology and production lines.
He expressed hope that enterprises from the two nations will engage in negotiations and strengthen contacts in order to learn more about co-operative spheres and market demand in order to promote the development of bilateral economic and trade co-operation.
Niyazov pointed to his fruitful talks with President Jiang Zemin and expressed his belief that the current visit will accelerate mutually beneficial co-operation in various areas, including the political and economic and trade arenas. He said that co-operation will solidify the foundation for the development of bilateral friendship.