CC BY
0UDC 339.01
Halbayev J.
Master degree student at University of International Business and Economics
China, Beijing
ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF TURKMENISTAN AND CHINA
Abstract: This study analyzes the economic relations between Turkmenistan and China. It describes the history and current state of trade and economic relations between the two countries, identifies the main areas of cooperation and assesses the impact of this partnership on the economic development of both countries.
Key words: Economic relations, Turkmenistan, China, trade, investment, cooperation.
The focus of close attention of representatives of political science is the theory of international relations and the formation of a new world order. Researchers emphasize the special role of the PRC in the development of the modern system of international relations, analyze the foreign policy of the PRC, including bilateral models of relations between Beijing and the states of Central Asia.
Diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the PRC were established in January 1992; two decades later, these states became strategic partners (September 2013); in May 2014, Ashgabat and Beijing signed a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. In January 2023, the leaders of the two countries, Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Xi Jinping, announced the upgrade of relations between the two states to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
After the Central Asian states gained independence, China quite actively began to use new geopolitical advantages with the aim of economic penetration into the region. Turkmenistan needs China's help to implement a number of strategic tasks in the field of construction of communications, energy facilities and the creation of an industrial-
agrarian economy. China contributed to the creation in a short time of a unified independent national energy system in Tajikistan, which effectively works not only for the domestic needs of the country, but also for the export of environmentally friendly electricity. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Turkmenistan, bilateral trade has been constantly growing [1].
Turkmenistan and China began energy cooperation in the early 2000s, and it quickly gained momentum. This area has become one of the key areas for the two countries, since Turkmenistan has huge reserves of natural gas, and China needs this resource to power its rapidly growing economy. One of the largest projects implemented with the participation of the two countries was the construction of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline.
Currently, there are narrow and broad meanings of the term “Central Asia”. The first coincides with the generally accepted concept of “Central Asia”, the second - with the term “Greater Central Asia”. The first includes five states formed after the collapse of the USSR - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Actually, they are defined as a new region according to a number of political, economic, social and other criteria. Previously, the narrow meaning assumed the presence in the research field of a region with insufficiently clearly defined boundaries: “a region with a center between the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya.” It was presented as “a kind of civilizational community”, “a crossroads of civilizations” [2].
Cooperation between Turkmenistan and China has long roots, but recently it has become increasingly important in the field of transport. Both countries are actively working to develop infrastructure that will facilitate more efficient transportation of goods and people between them. Turkmenistan is located in the center of Eurasia and plays an important role in the transit of goods between Europe and Asia. Recently, the government of Turkmenistan has been actively working to develop the country’s transport infrastructure in order to increase its competitiveness at the international level [3].
Cooperation between Turkmenistan and China in the field of finance and investment is of strategic importance for both countries. China is one of the largest investors in Turkmenistan, as well as the largest export market. In turn, Turkmenistan plays an important role in China’s integration into the Central Asian region. According to official data, trade between Turkmenistan and China in 2023 amounted to $6.39 billion, up 10.2% from the previous year. At the same time, exports of Turkmen goods to China increased by 6.9%, and imports from China - by 14.3%. In the structure of Turkmen exports to China, the main goods are gas, oil, fuel and metals [4].
We emphasize that Turkmen-Chinese cooperation is forward-looking, does not depend on the international situation and is not subject to outside pressure. It is based on similar or coinciding approaches to problems of global, regional and national security, countering extremism, separatism, and terrorist threats. Turkmenistan and China adhere to the principle of equality in international relations, actively participate in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as in the implementation of measures by the world community aimed at overcoming global challenges. Effective mechanisms for cooperation at the highest and highest levels have been formed, a regulatory framework has been created, and contacts between parliamentarians, businessmen, representatives of public organizations, and figures in the spiritual sphere are developing. Turkmenistan and China see prospects for cooperation in the field of transport and communications, the creation of the Euro-Asian East-West transport and transit line, the use of outer space for peaceful purposes, the resolution of global problems of energy development, in the field of high technology, telecommunications, agriculture and healthcare.
REFERENCES:
1. Babayan, D. Podnebesnaya i Tsentral'naya Aziya / D. Babayan // Svobodnaya mysl'. - 2017. - №12. - S. 43-51.
2. Dannye statisticheskikh otchetov Kitaiskogo tamozhennogo byuro [Elektronnyy resurs] // Kitaiskoe tamozhennoe byuro. - Rezhim dostupa: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/wjb/zzjg/ dozys/gjlb/1781 /defaulf.htm.
3. Kitay predostavil Turkmenistanu dolgosrochnyy l'gotnyy kredit [Elektronnyy resurs] // Soobshcheniye informatsionnogo agentstva «Turkmenistan. ru». - Rezhim dostupa:
http: //www.turkmenistan.ru/index.php?page_id=3 &lang_id=ru&elem_id=11494&type= event.
4. Paramonov, V. Ekonomicheskaya politika Kitaya v Turkmenistane [Elektronnyy
resurs] / V. Paramonov, A. Strokov, O. Stolpovskiy // Tsentral'naya Yevraziya. Avtorskiy proyekt V. Paramonova. - Rezhim dostupa:
http://www.ceasia.ru/ekonomika/ekonomicheskaya-politika-kitaya-v-
turkmeni stane. html.
