Officials Meet to Advance Digital Partnership
On Monday, September 22, 2025, officials from Turkmenistan and China held discussions to explore potential future collaboration in key technological areas, including artificial intelligence (AI) and smart cities. The meeting, which aimed to advance an existing strategic partnership between the two nations, saw participation from Turkmenistan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Akhmet Gurbanov and Xu Qingshan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Hangzhou People's Government.
Beyond AI and smart cities, the dialogue encompassed broader cooperation in top-tier technologies, urban infrastructure, and the deepening of scientific and educational ties. The Turkmen delegation specifically proposed establishing cooperation with Hangzhou Dianzi University and other leading Chinese educational institutions.
Strategic Alignment in Digital Development
This recent engagement builds upon a robust foundation of bilateral relations and shared development objectives. Both nations have articulated ambitious strategies for digital transformation. China, through its Next-Generation AI Development Plan launched in 2017, aims to become a global leader in AI by 2030 and achieve AI self-sufficiency under the 'Made in China 2025' initiative.
Similarly, Turkmenistan is actively pursuing its 'Concept of Digital Economy Development in Turkmenistan for 2019-2025' and a 'Digital Economy Development Strategy,' with plans for a new development program for 2026-2028. These initiatives focus on modernizing the country's information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure, integrating digital technologies across various sectors, and developing 'smart' cities, exemplified by projects like Arkadag.
Expanding Cooperation and Future Prospects
The discussions on September 22 underscore a growing trend of technological cooperation between China and Turkmenistan. High-level meetings earlier in 2025, including those between President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President Xi Jinping, have consistently highlighted the importance of high-tech collaboration, including AI. These engagements often occur within the framework of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Turkmenistan's 'Revive the Great Silk Road' strategy, which seek to align development goals and foster broader connectivity.
Further demonstrating this commitment, a delegation from Turkmenistan's Ministry of Industry and Construction visited the Chinese company Tongfang Co., Ltd. in Beijing on July 16, 2025, to explore cooperation in smart cities and smart energy solutions. Both countries have expressed a desire to maintain regular, high-level talks, recognizing them as crucial for the comprehensive strengthening of their interstate partnership, which also includes cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
5 Comments
Ongania
The push for smart cities is progressive, and China offers advanced solutions, but the implementation must prioritize citizen privacy and ethical AI use, not just efficiency.
Manolo Noriega
It's good to see nations developing their digital economies, and China has the capacity to help. Yet, smaller states must ensure these partnerships truly serve their long-term national interests, not just external agendas.
Fuerza
This collaboration could bring significant infrastructure improvements to Turkmenistan. However, transparency in these deals, especially regarding financing and data handling, is absolutely vital.
Ongania
Excellent move for Turkmenistan! China's tech leadership will truly modernize their infrastructure.
Fuerza
Deepening educational and scientific ties is always a positive step for global knowledge sharing. Still, there's a risk of intellectual property transfer and potential geopolitical alignment that Turkmenistan should carefully consider.