President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday in Astana on the sidelines of the second China–Central Asia Summit, according to Turkmenistan’s state media.

The two leaders discussed the further development of Turkmen-Chinese relations, which they described as strategic in nature. They exchanged views on the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation, as well as on key regional and international issues of mutual interest.

According to Xinhua, President Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Turkmenistan based on mutual respect and benefit. He highlighted the importance of expanding energy partnerships, boosting collaboration in non-resource sectors, and improving the structure of bilateral trade.

Xi also expressed China’s support for Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

President Berdimuhamedov arrived in Astana to participate in the second China–Central Asia Summit hosted in the capital of Kazakhstan.