Turkey to boost relations with China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-24 09:33

ANKARA: Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Tuesday he hoped his upcoming state visit to China will be a landmark in the Sino-Turkish relationship.

Turkey expects to further cement relations with China in political and economic fields, as China is one of few countries with steady economic growth despite the global financial crisis, said Gul at a press conference at Ankara Esenboga Airport before departing for China.

The two countries have not fully discovered their potentials as each other's trade partner, as the Sino-Turkish trade volume exceeded US$17 billion last year but the Chinese investment in Turkey was not enough, Gul told reporters.

Citing official figures, he said Turkey's annual investment in China reached 100 million dollars while China's yearly investment in Turkey was only 60 million dollars.

There is a lot to do to increase China and Turkey's cooperation in investment, he noted.

"Turkey attaches importance to its ties with China and I believe China also values our relations, which can be seen by the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao for me to visit his country," the president said.

"I hope my visit to China will become a landmark in our relationship," he added.

Gul said he will visit Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xi'an and Urumqi during the six-day visit starting from Wednesday and meet with Chinese leaders and businessmen.