On November 4, 2007, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks in Ashgabat with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. Both sides agreed to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote common development.

During the talks, Wen said the two countries enjoy a time-honored history of exchanges, pointing to the ancient Silk Road which once linked the two peoples together. Since the two countries forged diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have been developing smoothly with satisfactory achievements, said Wen. Both sides attach importance to their good-neighborly friendship and cooperation from a strategic perspective of benefiting both peoples, safeguarding regional stability and promoting common development, said the premier, adding that they have also regarded each other as reliable friends and partners and shown mutual understanding and support to each other on key issues of mutual concern. Wen thanked for Turkmenistan's support for China on issues of Taiwan, Tibet and in its combat against the Eastern Turkistan terrorist group and spoke highly of the important contributions President Berdymukhamedov has made to carrying forward bilateral ties since he took office. China will continue to support Turkmenistan's efforts in safeguarding national independence and sovereignty and promoting economic development, and strive to consolidate and develop friendly cooperative relations with the country, said Wen.

The Chinese premier also put forward a four-point proposal on further improving Sino-Turkmenistan relations. First, strengthen exchanges and build mutual trust. Wen called on both sides to continue close exchanges and cooperation at all levels and show mutual understanding and support on key issues of mutual concern. Second, deepen trade cooperation and realize a win-win situation. Wen urged both countries to launch a bilateral economic and trade commission in the near future to facilitate overall planning for trade cooperation. The two countries should give full play to their advantages, expand cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, energy, communications, transport, textile and agriculture, and further implement the agreed projects to step up bilateral trade cooperation to a new level. Third, expand humanistic exchanges and deepen the traditional friendship. Wen suggested both sides hold such events as cultural festivals and arts exhibitions and encourage educational and sports exchanges, especially among the younger generation, so as to carry forward bilateral friendship. Fourth, promote security cooperation and safeguard regional stability. Both sides should earnestly implement the cooperation agreement on combating the "three forces" to contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity, said the premier.

Calling Turkmenistan an important nation in central Asia, Wen said China appreciates its permanent neutrality and commitment to regional peace, stability and development, adding that China favors the establishment of a U.N. Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Ashgabat.

Hailing the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 15 years ago, Berdymukhamedov said Turkmenistan and China share identical or similar views on many significant issues, with frequent exchanges at all levels and ever-increasing mutual understanding and trust. Bilateral cooperation, which is described as constructive, has been developing smoothly and has been pushed to one new level after another. Consolidating and strengthening friendly cooperation would serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples as well as the maintenance of regional peace, stability and development. The Turkmen side will work closely with China to deepen economic and trade cooperation and carry out the oil and gas pipeline project between the two countries, Berdymukhamedov said. He also urged both sides to expand new cooperation areas on transport, communication and textile and encourage cultural and people-to-people and student exchanges to carry forward the traditional friendship. The Turkmen president also reiterated his readiness to unswervingly uphold the one-China policy and to support China's efforts in safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity. Turkmenistan is ready to work closely with China to combat the "three forces", he added.

Following the talks, both sides attended a signing ceremony of cooperation agreements on the building of nitrogen fertilizer and glass plants in Turkmenistan.

Prior to the talks, Berdymukhamedov hosted a grand welcoming ceremony for Premier Wen's visit at the square outside the Presidential Palace.