Turkmenistan continues to expand educational cooperation with China within the "Central Asia – China" Format

From May 11 to 13, 2025, the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan paid a working visit to the city of Urumqi, People’s Republic of China, to participate in the first meeting of education ministers of Central Asian countries and China. During the visit, key aspects of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of education were discussed, and concrete steps were outlined to further strengthen interaction in this area.

In his remarks, the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, J.Gurbangeldiyev, emphasized the importance of regular meetings among education ministers to exchange experience and best practices in educational technologies, including digital education, artificial intelligence, and communication tools. He highlighted the need to intensify the exchange of knowledge and expertise among the countries of the region, as well as with China, which is a longstanding and strategic partner for Turkmenistan in the humanitarian sphere.

The meeting also addressed bilateral initiatives focused on training students and teachers, as well as the introduction of advanced educational technologies. In particular, Turkmenistan noted China’s successful experience in training professionals in foreign languages, digital education, and sciences, and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the teaching of the Chinese language in Turkmen universities.

Minister J.Gurbangeldiyev underlined that strategic cooperation between Turkmenistan and China includes student and faculty exchanges and joint academic and scientific projects. Currently, more than a thousand students and schoolchildren in Turkmenistan are studying Chinese, and joint Olympiads and cultural activities serve as a bridge for strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.

As part of the visit, a bilateral meeting was held between the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan and his Chinese counterpart. During the meeting, the sides discussed joint teacher training, the teaching of the Chinese language in Turkmenistan, and the expansion of cooperation in the fields of vocational and higher education. They also exchanged views on the continuation of efforts to utilize Chinese educational grants and explored the possibility of establishing Turkmen-Chinese educational laboratories focused on artificial intelligence.

It was also reported that the selection process is currently underway to send 100 young Turkmen students to pursue undergraduate studies at higher education institutions in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Cooperation within the "Central Asia – China" platform continues to develop steadily, enhancing not only educational linkages but also fostering broader partnerships between the region’s countries and China.

Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan