Symposium on China-Türkiye Relations and Geopolitical Landscape Held by ICC

Under the guidance of competent departments of China, the Research Center on International Strategy of the International Cooperation Center (ICC) recently organized a symposium on China-Türkiye relations and geopolitical landscape in Beijing. The discussions included issues such as forging a future-oriented strategic partnership between the two countries in the face of major changes around the world and the impact of the bilateral relations on geopolitical landscape.

The experts pointed out China and Türkiye, as the starting and ending points of the ancient silk road, had been established their relations for a long time. Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1971, the two nations have witnessed growing political, economic and cultural ties. Given its unique geopolitical position of strategic importance, Türkiye is a regional power spanning across Europe and Asia, which has significant influence in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Today, the international community faces both opportunities and challenges. As major developing countries and emerging markets, China and Türkiye share common interests in defending our rights and interests, pursuing development and rejuvenation, and upholding international justice. Therefore, the China-Türkiye strategic partnership should be promoted into a higher level. 

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and profound changes unseen in a century, the geopolitical landscape in Eurasia has undergone dramatic changes, while Türkiye’s role as an emerging market and a regional power is more striking. For example, it serves as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and a “key member” in deciding Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO. Meanwhile. It has brokered the Astana process to promote political dialogue on the Syrian issue and actively made plans for joining the SCO. In addition, Türkiye has proposed the Middle Corridor Initiative that has drawn global attention and played an active role in the construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway extension. As the converging point of different sections of the TurkStream pipeline, Türkiye is also becoming an important international energy hub. As the year 2023 marks the centennial of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, the country will elect its new president and parliament, which will deliver a huge impact on Türkiye’s policies on its domestic and foreign affairs.

To conclude, the experts believed that sound China-Türkiye relations were conducive to the long-term interests of both sides. In-depth research on China-Türkiye relations and geopolitical issues will help us grasp the underlying trends of the world, boost solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, so as to promote the strategic integration of the New Silk Road Initiative and the BRI. The symposium was attended by delegates from competent national departments and experts and scholars from ICC’s Strategy Advisory Committee, Steering Committee, and Research Center on International Strategy.