On December 24, 2006, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, special envoy to Chinese President Hu Jintao, attended the funeral of Turkmenistan's late President Saparmurat Niyazov in the Turkmen capital city of Ashgabat.

Condolence activities were held at the Presidential Palace of Turkmenistan in the morning. On behalf of President Hu, the Chinese government and people, Tang expressed deep-felt condolences to Turkmenistan's Acting President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov over the death of Niyazov and extended sincere sympathy to the government and people of Turkmenistan and the president's family. President Niyazov, as a great leader deeply loved and respected by the Turkmen people as well as a friend of the Chinese people, had made important contributions to bilateral ties during his lifetime, which the Chinese people will bear firmly in mind, Tang said.

China will, as always, respect and support Turkmenistan's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and independence and to develop national economy, as well as its policy of permanent neutralism, Tang said, adding that China sincerely wishes Turkmenistan national stability and development.

China, attaching great importance to the Sino-Turkmen relations, will steadfastly make joint efforts with Turkmenistan to promote the friendly cooperation between the two countries so that they will remain good neighbors, friends and partners forever, Tang stressed.

On his part, Berdymukhamedov expressed gratitude to President Hu for dispatching his special envoy to attend the funeral. He said Turkmenistan will continue its friendly policy to China set forth by Niyazov in a bid to deepen the bilateral cooperation with mutual benefit.

After the funeral, Niyazov's body was buried in his home village of Kipchak near Ashgabat. Tang and other officials attended the burial ceremony.

Berdymukhamedov, other senior Turkmen officials and Niyazov's family members as well as heads of state, government leaders and special envoys from over 20 countries attended the funeral.