China and Turkey seek to build a common future

On Saturday, we commemorate the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Turkey. Since 1971, our diplomatic relations have steadily improved every year and thanks to the leadership of our countries, in 2010 it was transformed into a strategic partnership based on mutual trust and interest.

Our diplomatic relations may have been established in the past century, but our friendship, cultural and economic relations are many centuries old despite the significant physical distance between our countries. Beginning from China, going through Turkey and reaching Europe, the ancient Silk Road was the basis of the historical cooperation and mutual interests between our countries.

Asia's easternmost and westernmost countries, China and Turkey, were the protectors of the ancient Silk Road for centuries. By protecting this route and allowing the conveyance of different cultures, religions, languages, ideas, knowledge and appliances, our countries contributed to the development of not only themselves but also the entire Eurasian continent.