China targets increased gas imports from Turkmenistan

China has targeted an annual import of 65 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Turkmenistan by 2016, a joint statement said on Monday.

China and Turkmenistan mapped out bilateral energy cooperation in a joint declaration during Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov's state visit.

Both sides said energy cooperation has contributed to each other's social and economic development and fully embodied high-level strategic mutual trust.

The two countries are willing to develop "long-term stable energy cooperation" based on an equal footing and mutual benefits, the declaration said.

On the China-Central Asia gas pipeline, both sides have agreed to ensure the smooth and stable operation of Line A, B and C and that they meet the designed capacity; kick off construction of Line D as soon as possible and try to put it in operation by 2016, the declaration said.

Line A was launched in December 2009, and Line B in October 2010. They have a combined transport capacity of 30 billion cubic meters per year. The transport capacity of Line C is 25 billion cubic meters per year.

The two countries will speed up design and construction of the second phase of the Fuxing gas field in Turkmenistan with a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters annually, it said.

China and Turkmenistan have also targeted new areas for cooperation, including oil and gas processing, refinement, wind and solar energy as well as potash production.

China said it supported Turkmenistan to host an international meeting on energy security this year.