On April 23, 2009, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Hui met with new Turkmen Ambassador to China Murad Nazarov. Li made positive comments on the status quo of and achievements made in the development of bilateral ties. He said China is ready to work with Turkmenistan to earnestly implement the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, continuously build up political trust, and deepen pragmatic cooperation on economy, trade, energy and humanities, so as to push bilateral friendly cooperative relations to a new level.

Nazarov said Turkmenistan attaches great importance to ties with China and deems China a friendly neighbor and sincere partner. Turkmenistan is ready to further consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries and deepen cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, energy, transportation, communications and humanities based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. Nazarov pledged to do his utmost in this regard.