On February 15, 2024, at the invitation of Chairperson of the National Assembly (Mejlis) of Turkmenistan Dunyagozel Gulmanowa, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji delivered remarks at the video meeting of the heads of parliaments of the member countries of the Group of Friends of Neutrality.

Zhao Leji stated that since its establishment more than 3 years ago, the Group of Friends of Neutrality has advocated and upheld a policy of neutrality and is committed to promoting international peace, security and sustainable development, and has become a useful platform for practicing multilateralism and promoting win-win cooperation. As a permanently neutral state established by the United Nations (UN) and the initiator of the Group of Friends of Neutrality, Turkmenistan has actively fulfilled its international obligations and steadfastly upheld peace and stability over the years, playing an important and constructive role in international and regional affairs.

Zhao Leji noted that the world today is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, and human society faces complex and severe challenges, however, the trend of peace, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes is unstoppable. To address the deficit in development, address security challenges and enhance mutual learning among civilizations, President Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, which has received extensive support and response from the international community. China is willing to work with Turkmenistan and the member countries of the Group of Friends of Neutrality to promote the effective implementation of the three global initiatives and to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. He called on all parties to firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, safeguard and practice true multilateralism, work for a more just and reasonable global governance system, and increase the representation and voice of developing countries in international affairs.

Zhao Leji said that China and Turkmenistan are good friends, good partners and good brothers. Over the past 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have adhered to the principle of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win results, and have continuously upgraded bilateral relations, realizing the leap from "friendly cooperation" to "strategic partnership" and then to "comprehensive strategic partnership". At present, China is advancing the great cause of building itself into a great country and national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization on all fronts, and Turkmenistan is moving towards the goal of "The Revival of A New Era of A Powerful State". China-Turkmenistan relations enjoy great potential for development. China is ready to join hands with Turkmenistan to implement the important common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two countries, continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, enrich people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and practice a community with a shared future at the bilateral level, so as to better benefit the two countries and two peoples.

The Group of Friends of Neutrality was established in August 2020 on the initiative of Turkmenistan. China is one of the 18 founding nations. The meeting of the heads of parliaments of the member countries of the Group of Friends of Neutrality was held online with the theme of "The role of parliamentary cooperation in strengthening peace and dialogue".