On August 29, 2008, visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met in the Parliament Building with Akdzha Nurberdyeva, chairperson of the Majlis, or the Turkmen parliament.

Hu hailed the smooth growth of bilateral relations since the two countries forged diplomatic relations 16 years ago. To build political trust, expand cooperation on economy, trade, energy, security and humanities and strengthen coordination within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks conforms to the common interests of both countries and their peoples and is also conducive to promoting regional peace and development. China is ready to work with Turkmenistan to push for in-depth development of bilateral ties. "China's economy is complementary to that of Turkmenistan, and bilateral economic cooperation has much potential to move forward," he said. With the launch of key energy projects like a major gas pipeline, China and Turkmenistan can boost pragmatic cooperation comprehensively in many fields such as economy, trade, energy, telecommunications and finance, the Chinese leader added. However, the promotion of bilateral pragmatic cooperation needs the strong support of both countries' legislatures, Hu said. "China hopes Turkmenistan's Majlis will continue to nurture and support the growth of bilateral ties," President Hu said.

In response, Nurberdyeva said the friendship between Turkmenistan and China goes back a long way and the two nations have a long history of people-to-people exchanges. Turkmen-Chinese relations have been developing rapidly in recent years with frequent high-level exchanges and the two countries have also signed a range of cooperation agreements, promoting pragmatic cooperation in all areas including energy cooperation. "The social and economic development of both countries has seen rapid growth with huge potential remaining to be tapped," she said. She emphasized that the Turkmen parliament firmly supports "the growth of friendly and cooperative bilateral relations."

Hu said that the Chinese National People's Congress and the Turkmen parliament have maintained sound cooperative relations over the years. As both countries are currently devoted to deepening reform, developing economy and building democracy and legal system, the two legislatures can strengthen contacts and learn from each other.Hu also expressed hope that the Chinese National People's Congress and the Turkmen parliament would make more efforts to contribute to bilateral ties.

Nurberdyeva briefed on the work of the Turkmen parliament, hailing the close exchanges between the two legislative bodies. The Turkmen parliament is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the NPC of China, she added.

On the afternoon of the same day, Hu Jintao attended a medal-awarding ceremony held by the Turkmen government. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov hosted the ceremony and honored President Hu with a "Niyazov" medal. Addressing the ceremony, Berdymukhamedov appreciated Hu’s remarkable contributions to world peace and development, to China’s construction and to building friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Hu said that the Turkmen government’s awarding of the “Niyazov" medal to him is not only a special honor to himself, but more importantly represents the profound friendship held by the Turkmen people towards the Chinese people. China will remain Turkmenistan’s good friend and partner forever, said Hu, adding that China is ready to work with the Turkmen side to push bilateral ties to one new level after another. Nearly 3,000 people including the personages from all walks of life in Turkmenistan as well as diplomatic envoys to the country attended the ceremony.

The "Niyazov" medal is the highest medal of the country awarded to foreign leaders for their great achievements in safeguarding world and regional peace and promoting the relations with Turkmenistan.

Hu Jintao also called on the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan and Chinese-funded institutions.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above-mentioned activities.