27-7-2023 (ANKARA) China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara and President Tayyip Erdogan during his first foreign trip since assuming the role. The discussions between Wang and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan covered the latest developments in Ukraine as well as the global financial system. Russia has expanded its air attacks on Ukrainian grain targets in recent days following its decision to quit a UN-brokered deal with Turkey that allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain for the past year. The United States and several European countries have asked China to use its influence over Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine.
During their talks, Erdogan expressed hope for increased cooperation between Turkey and China on global and regional issues. Fidan and Wang also discussed economic and trade relations between the two countries, including the harmonization of initiatives from China’s Belt and Road and Middle Corridor, nuclear energy, agriculture, and civil aviation.
The situation of Uighurs, a mostly Muslim ethnic minority in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang, was also discussed. Human rights groups have accused Beijing of abuses against Uighur inhabitants, including the mass use of forced labor in internment camps. China denies the allegations.
China recently appointed Wang, a veteran diplomat, as its new foreign minister, replacing former rising star Qin Gang.
