Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov review the guard of honor during the welcoming ceremony Hu hosted for Berdymukhamedov in Beijing, capital of China, on July 17, 2007. (Xinhua/Fan Rujun) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) -- China and Turkmenistan on Tuesday signed agreements on cooperation in the fields of economy, technology, energy resources and education.

    Chinese President Hu Jintao and Turkmenistan counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov witnessed the signing ceremony after they exchanged views on developing bilateral ties.

    During their talks, Hu put forward a five-point proposal to enhance cooperation, including:

    -- Promoting political trust by improving contacts at government, parliamentary and party levels, and continuing cooperation on the major issues concerning one another;

    -- Deepening economic and trade cooperation, by expanding cooperation on oil and gas, telecommunications, transport and textiles;

    -- Increasing personnel exchanges, especially contacts between the youth of the two countries;

    -- Enhancing security cooperation to promote regional stability by working together to safeguard regional peace and stability;

    -- Strengthening consultation and safeguarding common interests on major regional and international issues.

    China would continue to support Turkmenistan's neutrality policy, Hu said.

    Berdymukhamedov agreed with Hu's proposal, saying that Turkmenistan would carefully implement the agreements with China to further cooperation on economy and trade and to fight "the three evil forces".

    He also expressed gratitude for the support of China on issues related to Turkmenistan's independence and sovereignty, as well as China's long-term aid to the nation.

    After talks, the two presidents signed a joint statement on promoting bilateral relations.

    According to the statement, Turkmenistan is committed to the one-China policy, opposes any form of "Taiwan's independence" including "de jure independence of Taiwan", and Taiwan's participation to any international and regional organizations in which only sovereign states can be involved.

    Berdymukhamedov arrived in Beijing Tuesday afternoon to start a two-day state visit. It is his first visit to China since he became president in February.