Turkey, China hail strategic cooperation amid protests
The leaders of Turkey and China herald the beginning of a strategic cooperation in their relationship after the countries sign a number of agreements in Ankara. Premier Wen Jiabaos trip, however, draws protests from Uighur Turks who chant slogans opposing Chinese policy in Xinjiang.
The cementing of
strategic cooperation between Turkey and China with a series of agreements signed in Ankara on Friday was overshadowed by pro-Uighur protesters angry at Chinas policies toward its Turkic population.
The target of the protests, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, had held warm meetings with his Turkish counterpart that resulted in the new agreements.
We have agreed to raise our relationship to the level of
strategic cooperation, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told a joint news conference he held with Wen.
Turkey and China have set a timetable to reflect their growing ties in trade volume, which currently stands at
$17 billion. Though the trade balance between the two countries is heavily in Chinas favor, Turkish exports to China increased 62.8 percent in the first eight months of 2010 compared to the same period last year, reaching $1.451 billion. Turkish imports from China increased 37.9 percent, reaching $10.67 billion.
We reached an agreement to increase our trade volume with
China to $50 billion by 2015 and, in the second phase, to
$100 billion by 2020, Erdoğan said. While trying to attain these figures, we decided to take one more step and carry out our trade in
Turkish Liras and [Chinese] Yuan.
The Turkish prime minister signaled the move would be an important step following Ankaras policy of turning bilateral relations into strategic cooperation with both Russia and Iran.
Wen, the first Chinese premier to visit Turkey in eight years, said the new strategic partnership with Turkey will be an important milestone and contribute to peace in the world.
He added that the two countries agreed to work together to establish a joint mechanism to fight terrorism and extremism, while also praising Turkeys role in the Middle East and its good offices regarding Irans nuclear program.
Following his discussions with Erdoğan, Wen traveled to Istanbul later in the day for a meeting with the citys business community.
Visit attracts pro-Uighur protests
The Chinese premiers visit drew a vociferous reaction from a group of people who chanted slogans denouncing Chinese policy in Uighur-populated Xinjiang, or Doğu Türkistan (East Turkistan), as it is known in Turkish.
Members of the East Turkistan Culture and Solidarity Association staged a protest in front of Wens hotel in Ankara, with one demonstrator tearing up a picture of the premier. Another protester attempted to throw a shoe at the Chinese leader as he was leaving the hotel to meet with Erdoğan but failed to connect with his target.
Some 184 people were killed in July 2009 rioting in Xinjiang. China blamed the ethnic unrest on exiled Uighur separatists, particularly Rebiya Kadeer, who is based in the United States. Kadeer has steadfastly denied the Chinese accusations and recently expressed a wish to stage a visit to Turkey at the same time as Wen.
Turkey, China strike eight deals
Amid the turmoil, representatives from Turkey and China signed eight separate agreements Friday on
energy, transport, telecommunications and culture as part of efforts to diversify and deepen their bilateral relationship. Turkeys ministers of energy, economy, industry and trade, transport and foreign affairs were all present at the ceremony at the Prime Ministry.
The agreements are as follows:
· A framework agreement on further expanding and deepening bilateral trade and economic cooperation;
· A memorandum of understanding on initiating a joint study for a medium- to long-term development plan on bilateral trade and economic cooperation;
· An memorandum of understanding on enhancing cooperation on infrastructure, construction and technical consulting services in third countries;
· A memorandum of understanding on the composition of the joint working group on the new Silk Road connection;
· A plan for implementing a cultural exchange and cooperation project for 2010-2013;
· A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the fields of information and communication technology;
· A memorandum of understanding to secure cooperation on transport, infrastructure and maritime affairs; and
· An agreement on railway cooperation.
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Turkey, China hail ‘strategic cooperation’ amid protests | TRDEFENCE
