Zhou Yongkang (R, front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is welcomed by Kasymguly Babayev, first secretary of the political committee of the Turkmen Democratic Party, upon his arrival in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Sept. 22, 2012. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
A senior Chinese official started on Sunday a friendly visit to Turkmenistan, aiming to help strengthen China's cooperation with the Central Asian country.
Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s Central Committee, arrived in Ashgabat late Saturday night after a four- hour brief visit to Afghanistan.
"China and Turkmenistan are good friends and partners. I am looking forward to expanding our bilateral cooperation, which is mutually beneficial," Zhou said in a written speech released upon his arrival.
He noted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 20 years ago, China and Turkmenistan have maintained a sound and smooth development of friendly cooperation, and have had close coordination and mutual support on global and regional affairs.
Turkmenistan is the last leg of Zhou's three-nation Asia tour, which also took him to Singapore.
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