ASHKHABAD - Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Turkmenian counterpart, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, signed a joint declaration here Tuesday to lift bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.

The document, inked following talks between the two presidents, marks a new phase in the development of China-Turkmenistan relations and heralds a better future for bilateral cooperation.

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Turkmenian counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Ashkhabad, capital of Turkmenistan, Sept 3, 2013.[Photo/Xinhua]

The two sides stressed that, no matter how the global and regional situations change, their relationship will remain a priority in both countries' foreign policy.

Speaking highly of the great achievements in bilateral cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic relations 21 years ago, they vowed to further promote exchanges and collaboration on various levels and in different fields.

They agreed to make good use of such platforms as the China-Eurasia Expo to boost sub-national economic and trade cooperation, expand bilateral trade and improve the quality of cooperation in this field.

Meanwhile, the two countries pledged to promote cooperation in infrastructure, telecommunications, agriculture, health care, high technology and other areas.

The two sides also agreed to take measures to facilitate and protect mutual investment and provide support for their enterprises to carry out business operations in each other's jurisdiction.

The two countries, said the declaration, will continue to firmly support each other in their efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and security as well as territorial integrity.

Turkmenistan unswervingly sticks to the one-China policy, opposes "Taiwan independence" in all its forms, and supports the Chinese government's efforts to achieve national unification, said the document.

China, the declaration added, backs Turkmenistan's pursuit of a development path befitting its national conditions, supports its efforts in maintaining social stability, economic development and national solidarity, and opposes any foreign interference in its domestic affairs.

Both sides condemn and oppose all forms of the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism, which, along with transnational organized crimes, illicit arms trade, drug-trafficking and other illegal activities, pose a real threat to regional security and stability.

China and Turkmenistan reaffirmed that they will enhance law enforcement cooperation, and jointly crack down on activities harmful to national and regional security, so as to maintain peace and stability both of the two countries and of the whole region.

The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in such areas as culture, education, science and technology, sports and tourism. Beijing will offer more scholarships for Turkmenian students studying in China.

China highly appreciates Turkmenistan's efforts in maintaining regional security, stability and development, and is willing to work together with Turkmenistan to step up cooperation under both bilateral and multilateral frameworks to cope with regional and global challenges.

Noting that the security and stability in Central Asia are closely connected with the Afghan situation, the two sides said they support international efforts to rebuild the country on the basis of respecting Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.

They also pointed out that the UN plays a central role in maintaining world peace, promoting common development and boosting international cooperation, adding that they support UN reforms that are rational and necessary.

They agreed that the reform of the UN Security Council should prioritize the increase of the representation of developing countries so that more countries will participate in the world body's decision-making.

Xi is in Turkmenistan for an ongoing Central Asia tour, which will also take him to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. He will also attend a Group of Twenty summit in the Russian city of St. Petersburg and a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan.