Johannesburg, South Africa – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan have vowed to expand cooperation between their nations in areas ranging from trade and technology to counterterrorism efforts. The two met on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Wang Yi highlighted the significant potential for practical cooperation, noting that both China and Türkiye are part of the Global South and are accelerating their industrialization. “China attaches great importance to its relationship with Türkiye,” Wang said. “We are willing to strengthen communication, align our development strategies, and expand cooperation to benefit our countries and the region.”
The Chinese Foreign Minister also expressed gratitude to Türkiye for assisting in the recent evacuation of Chinese citizens from Syria. Emphasizing the importance of combating terrorism, Wang stated, “Fighting terrorism in all its forms serves the common interests of both China and Türkiye and is a shared consensus of the international community.”
Hakan Fidan, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister, echoed Wang’s sentiments, noting that China has become Türkiye’s second-largest trading partner. “Our countries have maintained close exchanges at all levels,” Fidan said. “We are willing to expand trade and investment with China, explore cooperation in renewable energy, information technology, and artificial intelligence, and strengthen collaboration on counterterrorism and security.”
The ministers also discussed regional issues, with Fidan appreciating China’s “just position” on the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian issue. He voiced support for the six-point consensus proposed by China and Brazil and reaffirmed the importance of the two-state solution in the Middle East. “We welcome China’s efforts to strengthen ties with countries in our region,” Fidan added.
The meeting underscores the growing ties between China and Türkiye, as both nations look to enhance their roles on the global stage and address mutual challenges.
