Turkey, China agree to boost bilateral ties

Turkish and Chinese officials on Wednesday pledged to further promote bilateral ties that have been growing steadily lately.

Ismail Gultekin, Istanbul's vice governor, referred to the growing economic and cultural ties between Turkey and China over recent period of time, as both countries are playing a bigger role in the world economically and politically.

"During this period, we have also recognized the important role Istanbul has been playing in bilateral relationship as a financial and cultural center," he said in a speech delivered at a reception marking the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"We will continue all-out efforts to boost this relationship between our countries," added Gultekin.

Qian Bo, China's new consulate general, spoke of last meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan early this month on the sidelines of the G20 summit in eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou.

During their meeting, the two leaders exchanged views and reached an important consensus on the harmonization of China's Belt and Road initiative with Turkey's Middle Corridor plan as well as on advancing pragmatic cooperation, noted Qian.

"I believe the strategic cooperative relationship between China and Turkey is sure to usher in a period of even greater development," he said, pledging close communication and cooperation with the Turkish side in the efforts to advance better relations. Endit