Wang Yi Meets with Türkiye Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

On August 3, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Türkiye Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on the sidelines of the series of foreign ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation in Phnom Penh.

Wang Yi noted that China and Türkiye are both representatives of emerging economies with closely-intertwined interests and similar positions. China stands ready to work with Türkiye to enhance mutual trust and cooperation in line with the principles set by the two heads of state, support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, foster greater synergy of development strategies, and promote the sound and stable development of the strategic cooperative relationship between the two countries.

Wang Yi said that in the face of the drastic increase in the instability, uncertainty and insecurity in the current international situation, major countries should have taken the lead in abiding by the UN Charter, upholding the basic norms governing international relations, and advocating and practicing multilateralism. However, the United States is just doing the opposite, blatantly challenging China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and jeopardizing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The international community has unanimously condemned its dangerous and foolish acts. The Chinese side will work with all sides to strictly abide by the basic norm of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity in international relations, and safeguard peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

Çavuşoğlu said that Türkiye is firmly committed to the one-China policy, not only on the Taiwan question but also on Xinjiang-related issues. Türkiye welcomes United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet's visit to Xinjiang, and hopes to maintain communication with the Chinese side regarding the Turkish delegation's visit to Xinjiang.

Çavuşoğlu noted that Türkiye adheres to multilateralism, and opposes unilateral sanctions. Currently, the Ukraine crisis has posed serious challenges to global economic recovery. Türkiye is ready to strengthen solidarity with the Chinese side to jointly cope with food security and other challenges. Türkiye attaches great importance to the effort to foster greater synergy between the Middle Corridor Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative, stands ready to push for a more balanced bilateral economic and trade relationship between the two countries, welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Türkiye, and would like to see increased direct flights between the two countries.

Wang Yi said that the Chinese side appreciates Türkiye's active part in mediating the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and supports Türkiye in playing a constructive role in securing a soft landing of the Ukraine crisis. Since the beginning of this year, the Chinese side has overcome difficulties to provide the neediest developing countries with more than 30,000 tons of emergency humanitarian food aid. The Chinese side also put forward a cooperation initiative on global food security at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and will continue to play a constructive role in tackling global food security challenges.

Wang Yi emphasized that Xinjiang-related issues are China's internal affairs. China takes an open and transparent attitude towards Xinjiang-related issues, and welcomes the Turkish delegation to Xinjiang for a visit.