The historical ties between Turkmenistan and China date back to the era of the Great Silk Road, when the territories of both nations served as vital crossroads for trade, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between the East and the West. Today, these centuries-old traditions are finding a modern continuation through interstate dialogue and a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Cooperation in the gas sector takes a special place in the bilateral relations, having served as a key driver of economic engagement over the past two decades. A testament to this time-tested alliance is the participation of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) in the 31st International Conference and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2026” (OGT 2026), held in Ashgabat on October 21-23.

Over the last twenty years, the gas-sector dialogue between Ashgabat and Beijing has evolved into one of the most successful examples of long-term strategic cooperation in the Eurasian region – a partnership built on mutual trust, respect for each other’s interests and a shared commitment to joint development.

Currently, the People’s Republic of China is the largest importer of Turkmen natural gas. The Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline has been operating seamlessly since December 2009. As of October 1, 2026, more than 477 billion cubic meters of this environmentally clean fuel have been delivered via this transcontinental artery.

A new milestone in the development of this energy alliance is the implementation of the fourth phase of the Galkynyş super-giant gas field’s development. The project, overseen by CNPC Amudarya Petroleum Company Ltd., entails the drilling of new high-yield wells and the construction of a state-of-the-art gas processing plant with an annual capacity of 10 billion cubic meters.

The high political and economic status of the project was underscored by a formal ground-breaking ceremony held in the Mary velayat on April 17, 2026. The event was attended by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Hero-Arkadag and the First Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Ding Xuexiang.

The State Minister of Turkmenistan – Chairman of the Türkmengaz State Concern Maksat Babayev emphasized that this fourth phase of development signifies not only an increase in export volumes but also creates extensive opportunities for technology partners, contractors and suppliers of advanced equipment.

Furthermore, this current phase of cooperation elevates the energy dialogue to a qualitatively new level that prioritizes not merely production volumes, but also a profound technological transformation.

According to Du Yuming, General Manager of the CNPC International Ltd. branch in Turkmenistan, future efforts will focus on the digital integration of production processes, the introduction of innovations, the enhancement of energy efficiency and strict adherence to environmental standards.

Twenty years of collaborative experience provide a solid foundation for the realization of new ambitious projects. The successful launch of the fourth phase at the Galkynyş gas field, combined with a commitment to technological modernization, not only expands Turkmenistan’s gas production potential but also makes a substantial contribution to ensuring long-term energy security for the entire region.