I. Review of the Bilateral Political Relations

On January 6 2002, Chinese Prsident Jiang Zemin, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov and Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov respectively mutually sent messages to their counterparts congratulating on the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Turkmenistan diplomatic relations.

From January 23 to 25 2002, State Councilor Simayi Aimait headed a Chinese Government delegation to visit Turkmenistan and attended the activities celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

From March 2 to 8 2002, First Secretary of Turkmenistan Democratic Party Musayevf led a party delegation to visit China.

From April 14 to 20 2002, a Turkmenistan delegation headed by Speaker of the National Assembly Haleiyevf attended the third annual meeting of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP), held in China. Li Peng, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met with the delegation.

From July 4 to 9 2002, a Turkmenistan military delegation headed by First Vice Minister of Turkmenistan Ministry of Defence Shaleiyarov visited China.

From August 20 to 23 2002, Vice Head of the International Liaison Department of the CCCPC Cai Wu headed a CPC delegation to Turkmenistan for a visit.

On November 5 2002, Turkmenistan President Niyazov extended a message to Chinese President Jiang Zemin congratulating on the convening of the 16th meeting of the Communist Party of China.

On November 15, 2002, Turkmenistan President sent a letter to Hu Jintao congratulating upon his election as the General Secretary of the CPC.

On November 29 2002, President Jiang Zemin sent a cable to his Turkmenistan counterpart Niyazov expressing condolence over its November 25 incident.

From December 19 to 12, 2002, a People's Liberation Army delegation headed by Deputy Commander of the Beijing Military Area Command Zang Wenqing paid a friendly visit to Turkmenistan.

On March 15, 2003, Turkmenistan President Niyazov sent a cable to President Hu Jintao congratulating upon his election.

On March 16, 2003, Turkmenistan President Niyazov sent a letter to Premier Wen Jiabao congratulating upon his election.

On March 19 2003, Turkmenistan Speaker of the National Assembly Alazov extended a message to Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress congratulating upon his election.

On March 24 2003, Turkmenistan Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Meredov extended messages to State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing respectively congratulating upon their election.

II. Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations and Economic and Technological Cooperation

According to statistics from the Chinese General Administration of Customs, the trade volume between China and Turkmenistan in 2002 was US$87.52 million, of which Chinese export was US$ 86.78 million and import US$0.74 million.

From February 16 to 18, 2003, an economic and trade delegation headed by Zhou Keren, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, visited Turkmenistan. President Niyazov met with the Chinese delegation. The delegation also held talks with Turkmenistan Vice Prime Minister in charge of the country's petroleum and gas industries Kurbanmuradov, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Textile Industry Ayidogedezov, Vice Prime Minister and Director of the General Bureau of Railways Sjiepov respectively.