BEIJING, April 4 (Xinhua) -- China and Turkmenistan will further enhance their energy cooperation, according to a joint statement signed in Beijing on Monday.

    Chinese President Hu Jintao and visiting Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov signed the statement after their talks. Niyazov started his six-day state visit to China on Sunday.

    The energy cooperation complies with the interests of the two countries. The two sides will take pragmatic measure to deepen the cooperation in the field, says the statement.

    "The departments concerned will quicken their steps to study and implement China-Turkmenistan gas pipeline project," says the statement.

    "The Chinese enterprises are encouraged to participate in the exploration and development of the natural gas field in Turkmenistan," it says. Enditem