The International Scientific and Practical Conference “Turkmenistan – People’s Republic of China: 20 Years of Strategic Cooperation in the Gas Sector”, held on 16 April 2026 in Ashgabat, served as an important platform reaffirming the high level of bilateral energy partnership between the two countries. The forum demonstrated the growing importance of energy diplomacy and highlighted the strategic nature of Turkmen-Chinese cooperation, built on mutual trust, sustainable development and long-term interests. 

Independent and permanently Neutral Turkmenistan continues to strengthen its international standing as one of the world’s leading energy nations. Possessing the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves, the country is steadily developing not only energy exports, but also modern high-value gas processing industries. In this regard, partnership with the People’s Republic of China and leading Chinese energy companies continues to demonstrate both effectiveness and long-term strategic value. 

Over the past two decades, relations between Turkmenistan and the People’s Republic of China have evolved into an example of stable, reliable and mutually beneficial cooperation. One of the key export routes for Turkmen natural gas is the Turkmenistan China gas pipeline, which serves as a clear example of the consistent strengthening of bilateral partnership and plays an important role in ensuring regional energy security and sustainable economic development. 

The launch of the Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline in 2009 became one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in Eurasia and a major milestone in the development of bilateral cooperation. Today, more than 30 billion cubic metres of Turkmen natural gas are supplied annually through the three lines of the transnational pipeline system, ensuring stable energy cooperation between the two countries. Since the launch of the pipeline, cumulative exports of Turkmen natural gas to China have exceeded 430 billion cubic metres. One of the important directions for the further development of energy cooperation between the two countries remains the implementation of the Line D project, which is expected to significantly increase the volumes of natural gas supplies to China. 

The resource foundation of Turkmen-Chinese energy cooperation is the Galkynysh gas field, which continues to attract growing attention from the international energy community as one of the world’s largest sources of natural gas. According to the independent international audit conducted by Gaffney, Cline & Associates, the reserves of the Galkynysh field, including the adjacent Garakol and Yashlar structures, are estimated at 27.4 trillion cubic metres of natural gas, confirming its status as one of the world’s largest gas fields. 

The enormous reserves of the field, being developed with the application of modern technologies, create broad opportunities to supply Turkmen natural gas both to the domestic economy and international markets. Today, the Galkynysh field is regarded not only as Turkmenistan’s largest energy asset, but also as an important element in the emerging architecture of Eurasian energy stability. 

One of the significant milestones in further strengthening Turkmen-Chinese strategic cooperation was the launch of works under the 4th Phase development of the Galkynysh gas field. The official groundbreaking ceremony, held on 17 April 2026, took place with the participation of the National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and H.E. Ding Xuexiang, First Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. 

The Implementation of the 4th Phase of the Galkynysh development project will enable the annual production of 10 billion cubic metres of marketable natural gas, making an important contribution to the further expansion of Turkmenistan’s export potential and ensuring stable long-term energy supplies. The project is also expected to contribute to the modernisation of industrial and transport infrastructure, the creation of new jobs and the broader socio-economic development of the region. According to official information, more than one thousand jobs will be created upon completion of the project.

The successful development of the partnership is supported by the governments of both countries, as well as by effective cooperation between CNPC and the Turkmengaz State Concern. The Turkmen side regards this area of cooperation as one of the key elements of its long-term strategy aimed at diversifying export routes and strengthening international energy security. 

A special role in the development of this partnership belongs to China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), which acts as a strategic partner of Turkmenistan. Over the years of operating in the country, CNPC has become one of Turkmenistan’s largest foreign partners in the energy sector. The company participates in the implementation of large-scale projects covering geological exploration, field development, drilling operations, engineering construction and the introduction of advanced technological solutions. 

CNPC is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, implementing investment projects in 38 countries and providing engineering and technical services across 82 countries and regions worldwide. The company’s activities in Turkmenistan began in 2007 and cover a wide range of areas, including field development, well workover operations, equipment manufacturing, financial services and the development of modern production infrastructure. 

Today, cooperation between Turkmenistan and CNPC is entering a new stage of development,   gradually moving beyond the traditional resource based model and acquiring a more comprehensive character through technological advancement, digitalisation, improved environmental efficiency and integration into global energy value chains. 

Turkmenistan places special emphasis on the introduction of modern technologies and improving the environmental efficiency of the oil and gas sector. Within the framework of bilateral cooperation, initiatives are being implemented to reduce methane emissions, improve production efficiency and introduce digital solutions, in line with the global sustainable development agenda. 

Alongside technological advancement, one of the priority areas of Turkmen-Chinese cooperation remains the development of national human resources for the oil and gas sector. Over the years of operating in Turkmenistan, CNPC has accumulated significant experience in professional education and advanced training for industry specialists. 

Particular attention is given to educational programs, internships, knowledge exchange initiatives and the training of Turkmen students at specialised higher educational institutions in the People’s Republic of China. Particular importance is also attached to humanitarian, educational and cultural cooperation. CNPC traditionally supports the organisation of international conferences, industry exhibitions, cultural and sporting events in Turkmenistan, contributing to the development of bilateral humanitarian ties and the further strengthening  of friendly relations between the peoples of Turkmenistan and China. 

An important factor behind the successful development of Turkmen-Chinese partnership remains the high level of mutual trust between the two states. Regular high-level dialogue, bilateral agreements and joint initiatives create a solid foundation for the further deepening of bilateral engagement across various sectors. By combining Turkmenistan’s energy potential with China’s technological capabilities, the two countries are making a significant facilitating strengthening international energy stability. 

In the year marking the 20th anniversary of strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the People’s Republic of China in the gas sector, cooperation between the two countries continues to expand steadily and is entering a new stage of development. Amid the ongoing global energy transition, natural gas, as a cleaner and lower-carbon source of energy, continues to play an important role in ensuring a sustainable energy future and global energy security. For the People’s Republic of China, natural gas remains one of the key elements of the national energy strategy, creating stable long-term demand for Turkmen energy resources. 

The implementation of large-scale joint infrastructure and industrial projects continues to  strengthen the foundation of Turkmen-Chinese strategic cooperation. The expansion of cooperation across the energy, industrial and technological sectors, together with the introduction of modern solutions, is creating new opportunities for long-term sustainable development. 

Particular emphasis should be placed on the important role of Turkmenistan’s energy diplomacy in developing cooperation with the People’s Republic of China, aimed not only at achieving economic results, but also at long-term strategic development, strengthening energy stability and expanding international partnership. Today, Turkmen-Chinese cooperation in the gas sector represents not only an example of effective international engagement, but also an important element in shaping a sustainable architecture of Eurasian energy security. The consistent development of bilateral partnership, based on mutual trust, strategic vision and long term interests, opens new opportunities for further expanding economic, technological and humanitarian cooperation between the two friendly states, making a significant contribution to sustainable development, regional energy resilience and long-term international energy stability.