Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Mahmut Gurcan (right), inspects Turkish products showcased for the Chinese market alongside Türkiye’s Ambassador to Beijing, Ismail Hakki Musa, at the newly opened China-Türkiye Trade Center in Urumqi, on Feb. 22, 2025. (AA Photo)
Turkey and China have agreed to establish a joint venture to enhance trade in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), also known as East Turkestan. This region has been under international scrutiny due to accusations of severe human rights violations and genocide against the Uyghur people, with Western countries and human rights organizations repeatedly calling on China to halt its repressive policies.
According to Türkiye Today, the joint venture, China-Turkey Lecanrong (Xinjiang) Trade Development Inc., was officially announced during a ceremony held in Urumqi on Saturday. Deputy Minister of Trade Mahmut Gurcan visited Xinjiang for the company’s inauguration and participated in the opening of the China-Turkey Trade Center in the Urumqi Free Trade Zone.
During the event, Gurcan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to strengthening ties with China, highlighting opportunities for cooperation in trade, tourism, culture, technology, and education. Gurcan was accompanied by Turkey’s Ambassador to Beijing, Ismail Hakki Musa. He also held meetings with high-ranking officials from Xinjiang, including Ma Xingrui, Communist Party Secretary of Xinjiang, and Erkin Tuniyaz, Chairman of the Regional Government. During the discussions, both sides reviewed cooperation opportunities and agreed on the importance of taking concrete steps to enhance collaboration in strategic sectors such as economy, trade, culture, and technology in light of evolving global dynamics.
Although the region is officially referred to as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region by the Chinese government, many Uyghurs in the diaspora and in Turkey prefer to call it "East Turkestan." The Uyghur issue remains a sensitive topic in Turkey-China relations. Turkey is home to a large Uyghur diaspora with historical and cultural ties to the Uyghurs, and this community expects Turkey to take a stronger stance against China’s policies.
However, it is worth noting that the Belt and Road Initiative, in which Turkey and China are collaborating, has raised concerns of a potential "debt trap." Some countries participating in the initiative have found themselves increasingly indebted to China, leading to growing economic dependence and concern.
23 Feb. 2025
