The centenary of the Republic of Türkiye has been celebrated with great fanfare, with the Turkish Embassy in China taking the lead in Beijing on October 27. Complementing these celebrations, the Turkish Consulates General in Guangzhou and Shanghai orchestrated their own receptions on October 30, painting a picture of vibrant bilateral relations and cultural exchange. These events not only honored the past 100 years of Türkiye’s nationhood but also served to underscore the enduring bond and strategic cooperation between Türkiye and China, a relationship steeped in centuries of shared history.
At the heart of these festivities in Beijing, İsmail Hakki Musa, the Turkish Ambassador to China, highlighted the deep-seated connections between the two nations. In his speech, he emphasized Türkiye’s desire to escalate the partnership with China beyond strategic cooperation, reflecting on the ‘Asia Anew’ initiative Türkiye set forth in 2019, which placed China at its core. This initiative represents Türkiye’s strategic realignment towards Asia, acknowledging the continent’s rising significance and China’s central role in it.
The Beijing reception saw a diverse turnout, including diplomats from various embassies, Turkish nationals, and Chinese individuals who have been instrumental in fostering the Sino-Turkish relationship. The Turkish Embassy proudly shared details of the gathering, which was imbued with a spirit of friendship and mutual respect. The sentiment of camaraderie was further cemented by the remarks from Nong Rong, an assistant minister at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who conveyed China’s heartfelt wishes for Türkiye’s continued success and prosperity on its journey of national progress.
Moving to the vibrant city of Shanghai, Hüseyin Emre Engin, the Consul General, welcomed a cross-section of society, ranging from government officials and diplomats to Turkish expatriates and regional friends from Shanghai and neighboring provinces like Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui. Engin reiterated the consulate’s commitment to nurturing a partnership predicated on mutual benefits across multiple domains. The consulate’s efforts are strategically oriented towards amplifying trade relations, tapping into the vast potential of cultural and tourism exchanges, and laying down a robust institutional framework to support academic collaboration.
These celebrations in various Chinese cities not only commemorated a significant milestone in Turkish history but also shone a light on the progressive ties between Türkiye and China. The events reflected a shared optimism for a future where cultural understanding and cooperation continue to expand, bringing mutual benefits to both nations. As these two civilizations honor their interconnected past, they also look ahead to a future filled with collaboration and shared achievements, honoring a century-old republic’s legacy while forging a path towards a collective prosperity.
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