Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Turkmenistan
Relationship assessment
A close, energy-centered partnership built around Turkmen gas exports to China and long-running infrastructure cooperation.
People's Republic of China toward Turkmenistan
+70China has developed a sustained energy partnership with Turkmenistan, importing Turkmen gas through the Central Asia–China pipeline and cooperating on gas-field development and related infrastructure. High-level agreements have reinforced the bilateral strategic partnership.
Turkmenistan toward People's Republic of China
+65Turkmenistan has supplied gas to China through the Central Asia–China pipeline since 2009 and has cooperated with China on gas development and export infrastructure. These arrangements make China a central destination for Turkmen gas exports.
Overall relationship
+70The relationship is underpinned by a durable gas-export and infrastructure partnership, reinforced by strategic-level government engagement. Its scale and continuity support a close bilateral relationship, while its concentration in energy limits the breadth of the partnership.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
China and Turkmenistan maintain a close, durable partnership centered on natural-gas exports and infrastructure. The Central Asia–China gas pipeline has connected Turkmen gas supplies to China since 2009, and the governments have developed a strategic partnership and continued high-level cooperation. The relationship is substantial, although its economic foundation is concentrated heavily in energy.
Key developments
The Central Asia–China gas pipeline began operating, enabling Turkmenistan to export gas to China.
The two governments established a strategic partnership and agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation.
Major uncertainties
- The terms and implementation details of gas-supply and infrastructure agreements are unclear.
- The extent of bilateral cooperation beyond energy and high-level political engagement is uncertain.