On January 14, 2008, Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui met with outgoing ambassador of Turkmenistan to China Kurbanmukhammed Kasymov. Li made positive remarks on the achievements of China-Turkmenistan relations and the great efforts Kasymov has made for the bilateral ties. He said that China would work with Turkmenistan to carefully implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries and push the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations to new levels.

Kasymov thanked the Chinese Foreign Ministry and other related departments for their great support for him and the embassy of Turkmenistan and noted that the government of Turkmenistan attaches great importance to the relations with China and hopes to continuously deepen the bilateral cooperation in such fields as politics, economy, trade, energy, education and culture. He will continue to pay close attention to and support the friendship between the two countries after he leaves the post.