Xi stated that “China and Turkey are emerging powers and important members of the Global South, with a spirit of independence and autonomy,” according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Chinese leader said it was necessary to “elevate the cooperative relationship” between the two nations “to a new level,” during a meeting held on the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, taking place in Tianjin, northeastern China.
“China and Turkey should strengthen mutual political trust, support each other on issues related to their core interests and concerns, and enhance cooperation on counterterrorism and security,” Xi said, adding that “close coordination is needed” to “uphold international order and norms” and “contribute to global peace and stability.”
Erdogan, for his part, said that Turkey “values China’s impartial stance on the Middle East issue and is willing to work with China to safeguard international fairness and justice,” according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement.
The Turkish President also emphasized that “Turkey attaches great importance to developing relations with China and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges” with the Asian giant.
Despite a rapprochement that began in 2010, relations between Ankara and Beijing have been strained by issues such as Turkish tariffs on Chinese vehicles and the situation of the Uyghur minority, a Turkic ethnic group based in western China, whose members suffer human rights violations according to several non-governmental organizations.
China opened the 25th SCO summit in Tianjin, with confirmed participation from the leaders of Russia, Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as well as observer countries including Turkey, Iraq, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
On Wednesday, about thirty world leaders — including Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin — will be in Beijing to attend a military parade in Tiananmen Square marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.
