Beijing, June 1st—the ruling party governance exchange mechanism between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Justice and Development Party of Turkey (AKP) was established here today. The first meeting of the mechanism was held via videolink. Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Efkan Ala, Deputy Chairman of the Justice and Development Party of Turkey attended and addressed the meeting.

Song said, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Turkey 50 years ago, in-depth development has been achieved in relations and cooperation between our two countries. Especially in recent years, under the joint care and guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, China-Turkey strategic cooperative relationship has gained significant development. In the face of the COVID-19 epidemic, China and Turkey have helped each other and overcome difficulties together, upgrading our friendship. The establishment of the ruling party governance exchange mechanism between the CPC and the AKP aims to further strengthen political dialogue under the new circumstance, and continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns. Both sides are willing to further integrate China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Turkey’s Middle Corridor Initiative through intra-party communication, so as to promote pragmatic cooperation and the constant development of China-Turkey strategic cooperative relationship in the new era. China stands ready to work with Turkey to unswervingly uphold multilateralism, safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, promote international fairness and justice, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Song emphatically introduced the experience and great achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core over the past 100 years, especially since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012. Song said that the CPC is launching a campaign on Party history learning and education among all of its members, with the purpose of drawing wisdom and experience from the past glorious journey and inspiring the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups in China to embark on a new journey with full confidence. As China enters a new development stage, we will follow a new development philosophy, foster a new development paradigm and strive for high-quality development. Both sides should implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, enhance exchange and communication, inject impetus to its social and economic development, so as to bring more benefits to our people and promote regional stability and prosperity.

Efkan Ala warmly congratulated the CPC on its 100th anniversary and spoke highly of the great achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping at the core in social and economic development and the fight against the COVID-19. He also appreciated China for its valuable support for Turkey in fighting COVID-19. Efkan said that the AKP attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with the CPC and expects that the two parties will take the establishment of the mechanism as an opportunity to further strengthen experience exchanges, deepen practical cooperation in fields such as epidemic prevention and control, economy and trade, agriculture and tourism, accelerate the integration of the Middle Corridor Initiative with the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to contribute to the sound and stable development of the relations between the two countries. Turkey is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in regional and international issues, and make contributions to world peace and development.

Cheng Lihua, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee, introduced the rapid social and economic development in Anhui Province under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core. She expressed the willingness to deepen cooperation with Turkey through intra-party exchanges in various fields such as economy and trade, culture and tourism, science and education, contributing to the development of the China-Turkey strategic cooperative relationship.

Zhu Rui, Assistant-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. Chinese Ambassador to Turkey Liu Shaobin, Mayor of the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Alinur Aktaş, and Turkish Ambassador to China Abdulkadir Emin Önen attended the event.

Enditem