Turkmenistan and China discussed expanding trade ties, facilitating export-import operations and supporting investment projects. This was reflected in a press release published by Turkmenistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry following a videoconference held between representatives of Turkmenistan and the Eurasian Department of China's Ministry of Commerce. The meeting also focused on ensuring a strong Turkmen participation in the 9th China International Import Expo, which will be held in Shanghai.
The Chamber reviewed plans for organizing Turkmenistan's national pavilion at the exhibition and showcasing the country's export and production potential. Meanwhile, China's imports from Turkmenistan decreased by 4.3% to $4 billion in the first half of 2026, compared with $4.2 billion in January-June 2025. China has been Turkmenistan’s largest trading partner and its main destination for natural gas exports for more than a decade.
The two countries’ economic relationship is anchored by the China-Central Asia gas pipeline system, comprising three operating lines that transport Turkmen gas through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to China. According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bilateral trade reached $10.05 billion in 2025, with Chinese exports to Turkmenistan totaling $1.6 billion and imports reaching $8.45 billion. Natural gas remains the dominant component of Turkmenistan’s exports to China.
Chinese customs data show that China imported $8.41 billion worth of Turkmen natural gas in 2025, accounting for almost the entire value of Turkmenistan’s exports to the Chinese market. The existing three pipeline lines have a combined annual capacity of around 40 billion cubic meters, while the planned Line D is intended to increase Turkmenistan’s export capacity to China. At the same time, the sides have signaled an interest in broadening economic ties beyond hydrocarbons.
During a meeting with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in June 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for deeper natural gas cooperation alongside expanded cooperation in non-resource sectors, optimization of the trade structure, and greater regional connectivity. Source: https://www.trend.az/casia/turkmenistan/4215041.html © 2026 Trend News Agency.
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