Turkmen national leader's China visit to enhance bilateral ties, promote regional stability: experts

National Leader of the Turkmen People Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's visit to China will further boost bilateral cooperation, and stronger ties between the two countries will enhance regional stability and collaboration, said experts.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Berdimuhamedov, who is also chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) of Turkmenistan, arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to begin a three-day goodwill visit to China.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992 between the two countries, China and Turkmenistan have enjoyed a healthy and stable growth in bilateral ties.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, China is Turkmenistan's largest trading partner, largest export destination, and largest import source country.

Holding the fourth-largest natural gas reserves in the world, Turkmenistan is the largest source of pipeline natural gas imports for China from Central Asia.

Dong Yu, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Global and Area Studies of the Capital Normal University in Beijing, said he believes that Berdymukhamedov's visit will further boost bilateral cooperation, including in the energy field.

"The visit holds symbolic meaning in terms of energy cooperation. China is the largest buyer of Turkmen gas," Dong said.

Berdimuhamedov's visit comes amid complex and turbulent global and regional situations, marked by the ongoing conflict in neighboring Iran.

Jahan Babamuradova, a researcher at the Scientific Research Institute of Natural Gas of the State Concern Turkmengaz, said she believes that stronger ties between China and Turkmenistan will contribute to stability and development across the Eurasian region.

"China is not only a great country, a powerful global economic and industrial center, with vast and promising markets, but also a reliable and trustworthy friend. The relationship between China and Turkmenistan has become an important factor for stability and development in the Eurasian region," said Babamuradova.

Beyond energy, the two countries have also made notable achievements in education and culture.

The two sides are accelerating the Luban Workshop program, a Chinese vocational training initiative, and are in the process of establishing cultural centers in each other's countries.

Turkmen national leader's China visit to enhance bilateral ties, promote regional stability: experts

China's top diplomat Wang Yi said on Friday that one of the top priorities at present is to contain the spread of the conflict and prevent further involvement of other countries.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, at the latter's request.

Wang elaborated on China's position, saying that the current situation in the Middle East is still deteriorating, with the conflict continuing to spread. This has not only undermined the stability of global energy supply but also led to a severe humanitarian crisis.

Resorting to force will not solve the problem, and an unjust war should not be allowed to continue, he said.

In the face of the critical situation, China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should strengthen strategic communication and coordination, firmly uphold the UN Charter and international law, and prevent the world from regressing to the "law of the jungle," Wang said.

He added that the other two top priorities are for the international community to speak with one voice in calling for an immediate ceasefire and to intensify efforts to advance peace talks, and for the United Nations and the UN Security Council to play their due role in facilitating the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

Despite the difficulties, dialogue and negotiation remain the right path out of the crisis, Wang said, adding that China and France should work together toward this end.

For his part, Bonne shared his perspectives on the current situation in the Middle East, including developments in Iran and Lebanon.

He said that France and China, as major countries, both support the United Nations, abide by international law, and advocate resolving differences through dialogue.

He said that the two countries should work together to explore solutions and contribute to easing tensions and resuming negotiations.

France is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with China to push for the early achievement of peace and stability in the Middle East, he added.

China's top diplomat urges efforts to prevent escalation in Mideast conflict