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Turkey seeking new investment in China

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-25 08:18

Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrived in Beijing Wednesday at the start of a 6-day state visit to China.

Gul will hold talks with President Hu Jintao and meet Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul (2nd L) is seen upon his arrival at Beijing Airport June 24, 2009. [Agencies]

The Turkish president will also attend a Turkey-China business forum and visit Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xi'an and Urumqi.

President Hu invited Gul for his first state visit since becoming Turkish president in 2007.

Before his departure from the Turkish capital Ankara, Gul said he wants more cooperation with China at all levels, calling the countries "natural partners".

Turkey and China are positioned to overcome challenges and pursue greater prosperity through cooperation, he said.

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The countries can cooperate over international and regional problems, including the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and challenges in the Middle East, the Caucasus and Africa, Gul said.

Turkey is a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, while China is a permanent member. The Turkish UN ambassador chairs the UN sanctions committee on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Cooperation between Turkey and China is of importance, not only to our countries, but also to the international community," Gul said.

Turkey also values cooperation with China in the Group of 20 - an umbrella group for 20 wealthy and emerging economies tackling financial instability, economic slumps and job losses.

"We believe that we need strong international action for the establishment of a new and fair international financial order," he noted.

On the bilateral front, the president hopes to discuss trade, the economy, investment, energy and culture.

Turkey also wants to develop trade and economic policies specific to China, said Gul, adding that a "fresh look" is needed in defining their economic relationship.

Gul called for the revitalizing of the Silk Road, the 2,000-year-old trade route that connected China and Europe.

Chinese figures show Sino-Turkish trade exceeded $12 billion in 2008, 13 times the 2001 level.

China is Turkey's largest trading partner in East Asia, but Turkey is concerned about the large trade deficit, Gul said, as he urged more investment, tourism and business trips from China. He said he would like to see a Chinese buyers' delegation visit Turkey.

Xinhua