Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (R) shakes hands with his Turkmen counterpart Yagshygeldi Kakayev in Tianjin, north China, Aug. 23, 2016. Zhang and Kakayev co-chaired the fourth meeting of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee in Tianjin on Tuesday. (Photo: Xinhua/Wang Ye)
China and Turkmenistan on Tuesday pledged prioritization of cooperation in energy, trade, culture and security.
The pledge came during the fourth meeting of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee, co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli and his Turkmen counterpart Yagshygeldi Kakayev, in north China's port city.
"China and Turkmenistan are sincere and trustworthy strategic partners," Zhang said, adding that bilateral ties had been healthy and stable with close high-level exchanges and had reached the new high of mutual trust.
Kakayev said Turkmenistan highly values its relations with China and regards China as a diplomatic priority. He said Turkmenistan was willing to expand cooperation with China in oil and gas, trade, transportation, investment and culture.
