Turkmenistan's acting President Gurbungaly Berdymukhamedov had won Sunday's presidential election with 89 percent of the votes, Central Election Commission Chairman Murad Karriyev announced on Wednesday.

"I will devote my life to the greater glory of Oguz Khan (a Turkic historical figure) and will follow the course of Turkmenbashi the Great," Berdymukhamedov stated at his inauguration ceremony held in front of foreign heads of state and hundreds of Turkmens mere minutes after the announcement.

Berdymukhamedov pledged to honor existing energy contracts, which will buoy Russian spirits, given the country's long-term agreements to buy Turkmen gas at below-market prices.

"According to our plans to transport energy to world markets, we will stick firmly to bilateral agreements and in future we will base our relations on mutual benefit and equal rights," he said.

The self-effacing 49-year-old former dentist did make an encouraging promise to annul some of Niyazov's more unpopular domestic policies, raising a glimmer of hope for change.

Speaking in a cavernous hall, he repeated his campaign pledges to loud applause. These included adding a year to Turkmen schooling to bring the nation's failing education back to international standards, to support private enterprise and to improve healthcare in the provinces.

He stood on a white carpet, an ancient Turkmen symbol of good luck, while Turkmens clad in traditional gowns and woolly hats gave him bread and a quiver of golden arrows.

He was also presented with two volumes of the Rukhnama, an autobiographical and historical book of morals, penned by Niyazov.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday sent respective messages of congratulations to Berdymukhamedov.

In his message, President Hu spoke of China and Turkmenistan's history of profound and traditional friendship.

"The Chinese government and people respect the development road chosen by the Turkmen people and support the country's endeavor of protecting state independence, sovereignty and safety, promoting the social stability and developing national economy," he added.
 
"China will work with Turkmenistan in deepening mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation across various fields and foster long-term and stable cooperation," said Hu.
 
For his part, Premier Wen said that China-Turkmenistan relations have developed smoothly for the past 15 years, with strengthening political trust, the expansion of pragmatic cooperation, frequent exchanges of visits and close interaction on international and regional issues.

He pledged to make joint efforts with Turkmenistan to cement the China-Turkmenistan traditional friendship and promote bilateral cooperation in various fields, benefiting both countries and peoples.

(China Daily via agencies February 15, 2007)