Jennifer Lopez performed in Turkmenistan over the weekend at the request of a major Chinese state-owned oil company, only to be dismayed when she—or her handlers—discovered Turkmenistan's less-than-stellar human rights record.
China National Petroleum Corporation—parent of listed subsidiary Petro China—reportedly requested Lopez sing "Happy Birthday" to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during a concert in the former Soviet Republic.
Turkmenistan is one of the world's largest natural gas reserve holders and a major supplier of pipeline gas to China, delivering more than 21 billion cubic meters in 2012. The country also supplies European markets via pipeline through Russia, and to Iran in smaller volumes.