China's Vice-President Xi Jinping speaks during the Turkey-China Economic & Trade Cooperation Forum in Istanbul February 22, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Vice-president addresses key forum in Turkey at conclusion of visit

BEIJING - Vice-President Xi Jinping wrapped up a three-day visit to Turkey on Wednesday with a call to boost trade and cooperation with a country that prides itself on being a gateway to Europe and Asia.

Xi made the call when addressing a Sino-Turkish business forum in Istanbul, attended by hundreds of business leaders from China and Turkey, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Companies from the two countries will sign contracts worth nearly $1.38 billion, the AFP reported, quoting Zafer Caglayan, Turkey's finance minister.

The forum was Xi's final event in Turkey and the last official engagement in a 10-day journey that saw him also visit the United States and Ireland.

In his forum address Xi rejected protectionism and called for enhanced cultural exchanges and more contact between the people of the two countries.

Xi suggested that both countries boost growth in various sectors including finance, renewable energy, high-tech and mining.

The three-day visit highlights China's readiness for greater cooperation with Turkey and is an example for developing countries, said Yao Kuangyi, former Chinese ambassador to Turkey.

"As big emerging economies, the two countries have great potential to cooperate," Yao told China Daily.

China also faces development challenges, especially in its vast western regions, he said.

China and Turkey both have concrete plans in place to boost development and aspects of their two economies dovetail nicely, Xi said.

China is Turkey's third-biggest trading partner in the world.