On December 12, Turkmenistan celebrated the International Day of Neutrality and the 27th anniversary of the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan (China News Service). The solemn date started with the ceremony of laying flowers at the Monument of Neutrality, in which President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part. In the congratulatory address, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the main goal of neutrality, recognized by the international community as a great value and universal doctrine, is the protection of peace and security on the planet. In addition, the permanent neutrality of our state, located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, has given a powerful impetus to the expansion of the scope of international cooperation and the development of friendly relations. On the same day, festive events dedicated to the International Day of Neutrality were held in all regions of the country.
On December 12, representatives of industry-leading enterprises from Xinjiang departed on a trip to Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan to seek business opportunities (People’s Daily). During the 10-day trip arranged by the regional government, Xinjiang businesses are expected to establish new contacts, engage in business negotiations, and attend trade fairs. In recent years, Xinjiang has transformed from a relatively closed inland region to a frontier of China’s opening up. In the first 10 months of this year, Xinjiang’s trade with the five Central Asian countries totaled 22.4 billion dollars, an increase of 60.9 percent, accounting for 76.2 percent of the region’s total imports and exports and 45.6 percent of China’s imports and exports to the five Central Asian countries.
On December 13, China called on the Afghan interim government to take strong and resolute measures to ensure the security of Chinese nationals, institutions and projects in the country (Beijing News). According to media reports, a hotel with Chinese nationals in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, was attacked by unidentified armed persons on Monday. Three terrorists were killed and several Chinese civilians were injured. An affiliate of the extremist group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack. In the wake of the attack, the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan immediately lodged a complaint with the Afghan interim government and asked the Afghan side to make every effort to search for and rescue Chinese nationals. The Chinese embassy also asked the Afghan side to look thoroughly into the attack, bring the perpetrators to justice, and effectively strengthen the protection for the safety and security of Chinese nationals and institutions in Afghanistan.
On December 13, the first trilateral summit between the leaders of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan was held in Turkmenistan’s Avaza (Tibet.cn). The parties exchanged views on the development of trilateral partnership in the economic sphere and focused on the issues of expanding cooperation in the fields of trade, energy and transport. After the trilateral talks, the heads of state signed a joint statement and a number of cooperation documents.