President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a high-level meeting with the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to broaden bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation, and address global challenges. Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening economic partnerships, improving the trade balance, creating new investment opportunities, and deepening collaboration in the energy and technology sectors.
President Erdoğan underlined Türkiye's determination to further advance relations with China, highlighting the potential of digital technologies, energy, healthcare, and tourism as priority areas for cooperation. He stressed the importance of encouraging Chinese companies to increase their investments in Türkiye, noting that such engagement would contribute to balanced and sustainable bilateral trade.
President Erdoğan also underscored the significance of aligning Türkiye's Middle Corridor initiative with China's Belt and Road Initiative, calling for joint efforts to enhance connectivity and mutual benefit. The two leaders agreed to ensure the regular functioning of existing consultation and cooperation mechanisms between the two countries.
For his part, President Xi described Türkiye as a key partner for China and expressed readiness to deepen economic cooperation, advance infrastructure development, and promote joint initiatives for regional peace and stability. He also emphasized the need for closer collaboration in addressing global challenges such as climate change and disruptions in international trade.
Observers note that the meeting signals the beginning of a new phase in Türkiye–China relations, one that is expected not only to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties but also to play a pivotal role in shaping political balance and stability in the wider region.