In the meeting held upon the 40th years of Turkish-China diplomatic relations, the historical development of Turkish China relations, different dimensions of economic, political relations between two countries and the risks and opportunities for the relations between these two states within the context of changing global economic and political balances were discussed.
Dr. Erkin Ekrem in his presentation focused on the mutual visits and 40 years of diplomatic, economic and military-strategic relations between these two states also touched upon the common interests of the two states.
Political Relations between Turkey and China
Dr. Ekrem stating “The diplomatic relations between China and Turkey began on 4 August 1971 when a protocol was signed by Turkish Ambassador for Paris Hasan Esat Işık and Chinese Ambassador for Paris Huang-chen said that the rapprochement between the two countries began with the visit paid by a mission under the Minister of Foreign Affairs Huang hua to Ankara on 11 June 1978.
Dr. Ekrem touching upon the visit paid by 7th President of Turkey Kenan Evren to China in December 1982 stated that this visit was the first high level visit paid by Turkey to China and then Ekrem summarized the other visits at different levels.
The topics in the bilateral relation between the two states
Ekrem summarized the main topics that took place on the political agenda of the bilateral relations among the two states as: “Regional and global problems, bilateral political relations bilateral commercial relations, tourism, military strategic relations and Uygur conflict.”
Characteristics of the Political Relations
Ekrem stated that Turkish Chinese relations were not so intensive at the presidential level although it was quite dense at the ministerial level. Ekrem defined the Turkish Chinese relations as “low-intensity relations.”
Turkish Chinese Economic Relations
In the meeting it was stated that Turkey-China Integrated Trade Commission Meeting which was firstly held in 1978 has been held for 14 times till 5 April 2005. However it was also underlined that the commercial relations between the two states work against Turkey.
Turkish-China Military Strategic Relations
The intensive and frequent visits realized by the Generals of the two countries were underlined and it was claimed that in 1997 Turkey and China signed a confidential treaty envisaging military strategic cooperation and it was also stated that Turkey wants to buy ballistic missiles from China. The two countries had a project on building long range missiles but it was not completed.
Interests of Turkey
Interest of Turkey in her relations with China was summarized as:
· Chin is considered to be great power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. By 2030 it will be a country that can challenge the US as a super power. Thus it is important for Turkey to have good relations with her.
· Turkey wants to benefit from the impact of China in international arena concerning the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) and Northern Cyprus issues.
· Turkey wants to have a portion in Chinese market and has expectations concerning financial relation and investments.
Interests of China
The interests of China in bilateral relations with Turkey were summarized as:
· Winning Turkey as a country with geostrategic position will contribute to the Chinese strategy towards the West, the Middle East and Africa and also Eurasia Plan of China.
· Turkey is the most appropriate country among the Central Asian and Middle Eastern Countries.
· China also need the support of Turkey for the solution of Eastern Turkistan separatist movement and also the security of the country.
Problem Fields
In the meeting the problems areas that halt the development of the relations between Turkish China relations:
· Uygur/ Eastern Turkistan Problem
· Trade
· Economic problems
· Institutional weakness in the regional cooperation between Turkey-China
· The problem of perception concerning one another and psychology of the decision makers.
Recommendation of the Future
· Cooperation instruments should be developed for the advancement the relations between China and Turkey.
· Cooperation among the universities of two countries.
· Mutual cultural activities should be held
· Common historical research should be held.
