Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov congratulated on the successful launch of Shenzhou-7 spacecraft, China's third manned space mission, according to news reports from Ashgabat on Sunday.

The president said China is marching forward with full confidence on a road towards progress and prosperity, Turkmenistan's state news agency reported.

The successful host of the Beijing Olympics in August reflected China's marvelous achievements in the contemporary era, Berdymukhamedov said Saturday as he accepted state credentials from the new Chinese ambassador Wu Hongbin.

A friendly China is one of Turkmenistan's most important and reliable partners, said Berdymukhamedov, adding that the Sino-Turkmenistan ties will be further consolidated.

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2008)