On October 20, 2004, Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minster Li Zhaoxing at the Presidential Palace and he highly commented bilateral ties and indicated the willing to continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields.

Niyazov said that Turkmenistan-China ties remain sound, which is fully shown in the fact that President Hu Jintao sent a telegraph yesterday to congratulate upon the 13th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence. He said that he has visited China twice and witnessed great changes of this country with his own eyes. The Turkmenistan side made positive remarks on China's economic achievements and development mode suitable to its own national conditions. He thanks China for respect of Turkmenistan's domestic and external policies. He also noted that bilateral cooperation in textile, traffic, communications and energy resources is being gradually conducted and remains effective.

Li Zhaoxing congratulated upon the achievements of the Turkmenistan people in economic development and social progress since their independence. He indicated that the Chinese government cherishes China-Turkmenistan friendship and gives top priority to bilateral relations. The two countries share broad common interests in safeguarding national sovereignty and economic development and China would like to work along with Turkmenistan to push for bilateral friendly cooperative relations.

Deputy Ministers of the Turkmenistan government in charge of foreign affaires, traffic, textile and energy resources also participated in the meeting. Following the meeting, Niyazov and Li Zhaoxing attended the signing ceremony of an agreement on economic cooperation between the two countries. Those present at the ceremony also include major leaders of the Turkmenistan government and army.

On the same day, Li Zhaoxing held talks with Turkmenistan Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov. Li Zhaoxing raised the following proposals on deepening Turkmenistan-China ties. The two countries should strengthen high-level contacts to enhance political mutual trust, keep closer cooperation in international affairs to safeguard their common interests and deepen cooperation in economy, trade and humanities. Meredov fully agrees to these proposals. He noted that Turkmenistan supports China's stances on issues related to Taiwan, Tibet and combating "East Turkistan" terrorist forces, resolutely adheres to the one-China policy and opposes Taiwan's accession to any international organization only sovereign states can enter. Li Zhaoxing expressed his thanks for such a position. The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional situations.