China–Turkey relations

Historically, Chinese relations with Turkic nomadic tribes encompassed many different facets that affected their relations, although the relationship by far was mostly described in a negative light.{{cite journal |last1=Zhanar |first1=Kozhabekova |title=Turkic Kaganate and China by Sources and the Latest Archeological Research |journal=Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences |date=July 2013 |volume=82 |pages=117–121 |doi=10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.234 |doi-access=free }} This was stemmed by historical wars between various Chinese dynasties against various Turkic entities by that time, began from the Han–Xiongnu War when the Xiongnu ("Huns"), the ancestors of modern Turkic and Mongolian nomadic tribes, conflicted with Han dynasty.{{cite web | title=Lessons from History: The Han-Xiongnu War and Modern China | website=Small Wars Journal | date=2016-12-29 | url=https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/lessons-from-history-the-han-xiongnu-war-and-modern-china | access-date=2020-10-26 | archive-date=29 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029124619/https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/lessons-from-history-the-han-xiongnu-war-and-modern-china | url-status=live }}

The conflict between nomadic people, which the Turks were part of, and the Chinese, intensified under the Tang dynasty, when the Tang dynasty launched two punitive expeditions against Turkic people (Tang campaign against the Eastern Turks and Tang campaigns against the Western Turks), as well as the Turks allied with Korean Goguryeo against China.{{Cite web|url=http://contents.history.go.kr/front/kh/view.do?category=english&levelId=kh_001_0020_0030_0020|title=우리역사넷|website=contents.history.go.kr|access-date=26 October 2020|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029073512/http://contents.history.go.kr/front/kh/view.do?category=english&levelId=kh_001_0020_0030_0020|url-status=live}}{{cite journal | last=Pan | first=Yihong | title=Son of Heaven and Heavenly Qaghan: Sui-Tang China and its Neighbors | journal=East Asian Studies Press | date=2017-10-24 | series=Studies on East Asia |volume=20 | doi=10.25710/vs3m-gw59 | url=https://cedar.wwu.edu/easpress/6 | access-date=2020-10-26}} The Tang won both campaigns, and also destroyed Xueyantuo and Uighur Khanate with the help of its allies. On the other hand, China failed to eliminate Turkic resistance, which was detrimental of paving the way to the defeats of the dynasty and Chinese power. During the Battle of Talas, the Turks betrayed the Chinese Empire and joined the Arabs, ultimately expelled the Chinese out of Central Asia.{{cite web | title=Saudi Aramco World : The Battle of Talas | website=AramcoWorld | url=https://archive.aramcoworld.com/issue/198205/the.battle.of.talas.htm | access-date=2020-10-26 | archive-date=22 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122213410/https://archive.aramcoworld.com/issue/198205/the.battle.of.talas.htm | url-status=live }}

In the 16th century, there emerged travelogues of both Ottoman travelers to China, such as the merchant Ali Akbar and Chinese travelers to the Ottoman world, such as the scholar-official Ma Li, often portraying each other's empires as being highly similar to their own.{{Cite journal |last=Chen |first=Yuan Julian |date=2021-10-11 |title=Between the Islamic and Chinese Universal Empires: The Ottoman Empire, Ming Dynasty, and Global Age of Explorations |url=https://www.academia.edu/59068575 |journal=Journal of Early Modern History |volume=25 |issue=5 |pages=422–456 |doi=10.1163/15700658-bja10030 |s2cid=244587800 |issn=1385-3783 |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417192653/https://www.academia.edu/59068575 |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal|last=Chen|first=Yuan Julian|date=February 2016|title=Between Two Universal Empires: Ottoman-China Connections in the Sixteenth Century|url=https://www.academia.edu/32028698|journal=Yale InterAsia Connections Conference: Alternative Asias: Currents, Crossings, Connection, 2016|access-date=4 May 2018|archive-date=4 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404204358/https://www.academia.edu/32028698|url-status=live}} A 16th century Chinese gazetteer, Shaanxi tongzhi, claims that there were Han-Chinese people living in a number of Ottoman controlled towns and cities such as Beirut, Tartus, Konya, and Istanbul.

According to the official history of the Ming dynasty, some self-proclaimed Ottoman envoys visited Beijing to pay tribute to the Ming emperor in 1524.{{cite book|title=Firearms: A Global History to 1700|first=Kenneth Warren|last=Chase|edition=illustrated, reprint|year=2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=esnWJkYRCJ4C&pg=PA141|isbn=0521822742|page=141|access-date=24 April 2014}} However, these envoys were most likely just Central and Western Asian merchants trying to conduct trade in China, since pretending to be envoys was the only way to enter the Chinese border pass. One of these merchants was Ali Akbar Khitai, who visited the Ming dynasty during the reign of Emperor Zhengde. Ali Akbar later wrote the book Khitay namah and dedicated it to Sultan Suleiman. The Ming Shilu also records Ottoman envoys reaching China in 1423, 1425, 1427, 1443–1445, 1459, 1525–1527, 1543–1544, 1548, 1554, 1559, 1564, 1576, 1581, and 1618.{{Cite web |title=The Tūqmāq (Golden Horde), the Qazaq Khanate, the Shībānid Dynasty, Rūm (Ottoman Empire), and Moghūlistan in the XIV-XVI Centuries: from Original Sources |url=https://eurasian-research.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-T%C5%ABqm%C4%81q-Golden-Horde-the-Qazaq-Khanate-the-Sh%C4%ABb%C4%81nid-Dynasty-R%C5%ABm-Ottoman-Empire-and-Mogh%C5%ABlistan-in-the-XIV-XVI-Centuries-from-Original-Sources.pdf |access-date=8 May 2022 |archive-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116225837/https://eurasian-research.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-T%C5%ABqm%C4%81q-Golden-Horde-the-Qazaq-Khanate-the-Sh%C4%ABb%C4%81nid-Dynasty-R%C5%ABm-Ottoman-Empire-and-Mogh%C5%ABlistan-in-the-XIV-XVI-Centuries-from-Original-Sources.pdf |url-status=dead }} Some of these missions may have been from Uzbekistan, Moghulistan, or Kara Del because the Ottomans were known in China as the rulers of five realms: Turfan, Samarqand, Mecca, Rum and Hami.

According to traders in the Gujarat Sultanate, the Chinese Emperor ordered all Chinese Muslims to read the khutba in the name of the Ottoman Sultan, thus preventing religious disputes from spreading across his territory.{{Cite book |last=Casale |first=Giancarlo |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195377828.001.0001 |title=The Ottoman Age of Exploration |date=2010-01-28 |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195377828.001.0001 |isbn=978-0-19-537782-8 |access-date=8 May 2022 |archive-date=28 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028005944/https://academic.oup.com/book/7625 |url-status=live }}

Kaiser Wilhelm II was so alarmed by the Chinese Muslim troops in the Boxer Rebellion that he requested the Caliph Abdul Hamid II of the Ottoman Empire to find a way to stop the Muslim troops from fighting. The Caliph agreed to the Kaiser's request and sent Enver Pasha (not the future Young Turk leader) to China in 1901, but the rebellion had ended by that time.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PvVlS3ljx20C&pg=PA237|title=The politicization of Islam: reconstructing identity, state, faith, and community in the late Ottoman state|author=Kemal H. Karpat|year=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press US|page=237|isbn=0-19-513618-7|access-date=23 September 2016|archive-date=30 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730151442/https://books.google.com/books?id=PvVlS3ljx20C&pg=PA237#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}{{cite book|title=China Considers the Middle East|first1=Lillian Craig|last1=Harris|year=1993|edition=illustrated|publisher=I. B. Tauris|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fmptAAAAMAAJ&q=enver+pasha+kansu+concerned|page=56|isbn=1850435987|access-date=1 April 2013|archive-date=18 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218173420/https://books.google.com/books?id=fmptAAAAMAAJ&q=enver+pasha+kansu+concerned|url-status=live}}{{cite book |title=The Moslem World |volume=1-3 |publisher=Hartford Seminary Foundation |year=1966 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xoJCAAAAYAAJ |page=190}}

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Turkish government officials received a Chinese Muslim delegation under Wang Zengshan who denounced the Japanese invasion of China.{{cite journal |last=LEI |first=Wan |date=February 2010 |title=The Chinese Islamic "Goodwill Mission to the Middle East" During the Anti-Japanese War |url=https://www.academia.edu/4427135 |journal=Dîvân Di̇si̇pli̇nlerarasi Çalişmalar Dergi̇si̇ |volume=cilt 15 |issue=sayı 29 |pages=156, 157, 158 |access-date=19 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318035752/http://www.academia.edu/4427135/The_Chinese_Islamic_Goodwill_Mission_to_the_Middle_East_-_Japonyaya_Karsi_Savasta_Cinli_Muslumanlarin_Orta_Dogu_iyi_Niyet_Heyeti_-_Wan_LEI |archive-date=18 March 2014 |url-status=live }}

In 1950, United Nations Resolution 83 requested military aid for South Korea following its invasion by North Korean forces, which were assisted by China and the Soviet Union. The 5,000-strong Turkish Brigade was attached to the U.S. 25th Infantry Division, served within United Nations Command. The Turkish Brigade fought in several major actions, including the Battle of Wawon (27–29 November 1950), against elements of the 38th Group Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Battle of Kumyangjang-Ni (25–26 January 1951) and Third Battle of the Hook (28- 29 May 1953), against elements of the Chinese 50th Army. The brigade was awarded Unit Citations by both South Korea and the United States.

In 1971, Turkey was one of 76 nations voting in favor of restoring UN membership to the Chinese government.{{Cite web |url=https://china.usc.edu/sites/default/files/legacy/AppImages/1971-UN-China-seating.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142113/https://china.usc.edu/sites/default/files/legacy/AppImages/1971-UN-China-seating.pdf |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }}

On 28 November 2008, Jia Qinglin, China's top political advisor and the chairman of the People's Political Consultative Conference, gave an official goodwill visit to Turkey as guest of Turkish Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan. In Ankara, Jia met Turkish President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. After visiting Ankara, Jia attended a business forum entitled "Turkish-Chinese Economic and Commercial Opportunities Forum" in Istanbul.{{cite news |url=http://www.cihanmedya.com/media_services/product.do?method=detail&productId=2243&categoryId=2268&productDetailId=12189712 |title=Top Chinese Advisor in Istanbul to Attend Business Forum |work=Cihan News Agency |date=28 November 2009 |access-date=17 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708154356/http://www.cihanmedya.com/media_services/product.do?method=detail&productId=2243&categoryId=2268&productDetailId=12189712 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}

Turkish President Abdullah Gül has become the first Turkish president to visit China in 14 years with his official visit between 24 and 29 June 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.cihanmedya.com/media_services/product.do?method=detail&productId=2243&categoryId=3670024&productDetailId=45383692 |title=Turkish President Arrives in China for Official Visit |work=Cihan News Agency |date=24 June 2009 |access-date=17 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708154633/http://www.cihanmedya.com/media_services/product.do?method=detail&productId=2243&categoryId=3670024&productDetailId=45383692 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/president-gul-arrives-in-china.html |title=President Gul Arrives in China |work=Anadolu Agency |access-date=17 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725072644/http://www.aa.com.tr/en/president-gul-arrives-in-china.html |archive-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead}} Gül said one of the major goals of his visit was to boost economic relations.{{cite news |url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey-willing-to-be-in-close-touch-with-far-east.html |title=Turkey Willing to be in Close Touch with Far-East |work=Anadolu Agency |access-date=17 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725072702/http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey-willing-to-be-in-close-touch-with-far-east.html |archive-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead}} In Beijing, Gül held talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao and attended a Turkey-China business forum.{{cite news |url=http://www.cihanmedya.com/media_services/product.do?method=detail&productId=2243&categoryId=3670024&productDetailId=45547549 |title=Presidents of Turkey, China Hold Talks |work=Cihan News Agency |date=25 June 2009 |access-date=17 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708154658/http://www.cihanmedya.com/media_services/product.do?method=detail&productId=2243&categoryId=3670024&productDetailId=45547549 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=live }} Following the meetings, seven cooperation agreements were signed between the two countries in the fields of energy, banking, finance and culture.{{cite news |url=http://www.cihanmedya.com/media_services/product.do?method=detail&productId=2245&categoryId=3670024&productDetailId=45547554 |title=China, Turkey sign seven cooperation agreements |work=Cihan News Agency |date=25 June 2009 |access-date=17 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708154733/http://www.cihanmedya.com/media_services/product.do?method=detail&productId=2245&categoryId=3670024&productDetailId=45547554 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=live }} After Beijing, Gül visited Xi'an and he was awarded with an honorary doctorate by the Xian Northwest University.{{cite news |url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey-pursues-a-foreign-policy-safeguarding-security-president-gul.html |title=Turkey Pursues A Foreign Policy Safeguarding Security, President Gul |work=Anadolu Agency |access-date=17 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919051243/http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey-pursues-a-foreign-policy-safeguarding-security-president-gul.html |archive-date=19 September 2009 |url-status=dead}} In the third leg of his China trip, Gül visited Shenzhen.{{cite news |url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkish-president-gul-visits-shenzhen-third-leg-of-china-trip.html |title=Turkish President Gul Visits Shenzhen, Third Leg of China trip |work=Anadolu Agency |access-date=17 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725072730/http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkish-president-gul-visits-shenzhen-third-leg-of-china-trip.html |archive-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead}} Upon an invitation of the Beijing administration, Gül also visited Ürümqi and has become the first Turkish president visiting Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.{{cite news |url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkish-president-arrives-in-urumchi.html |title=Turkish President Arrives in Urumchi |work=Anadolu Agency |access-date=10 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725072740/http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkish-president-arrives-in-urumchi.html |archive-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}

On 7 October 2010, China and Turkey signed eight cooperation agreements relating to trade, cultural and technical exchange, marine cooperation, and other things. At the signing ceremony attended by both of the countries' prime ministers, both pledged to increase bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2015, and to cooperate in building high-speed rail to link Ankara to Istanbul.{{Cite news|url=http://www.chinaknowledge.com/Newswires/News_Detail.aspx?type=1&cat=INS&NewsID=37601|title=China, Turkey ink 8 cooperation agreements|date=12 October 2010|access-date=5 November 2010|publisher=China Knowledge|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708145449/http://www.chinaknowledge.com/Newswires/News_Detail.aspx?type=1&cat=INS&NewsID=37601|archive-date=8 July 2011|url-status=live}} Later in November, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu toured China for six days and met with his counterpart Yang Jiechi, after Chinese premier Wen Jiabao visited Turkey and upgraded the China–Turkey relationship to a "strategic partnership". Among the joint pledges the foreign ministers made in China were to start a Turkish industrial zone in Xinjiang and to jointly crack down on separatism and terrorism, including on anti-China separatist activities in Turkey.{{Cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-11/01/c_13586011.htm|title=China, Turkey voice commitment in fight against terrorism, separatism|date=1 November 2010|access-date=5 November 2010|publisher=Xinhua|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107015209/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-11/01/c_13586011.htm|archive-date=7 November 2012|url-status=dead}} Commentators have cited these stronger ties as further proof of a realignment of Turkish foreign policy to the "East".{{Cite news|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-226168-100-turkey-china-move-for-new-cooperation-paradigm.html|title=Turkey, China move for 'new cooperation paradigm'|first1=Servet|last1=Yanatma|first2=Osman|last2=Erol|date=3 November 2010|access-date=5 November 2010|work=Today's Zaman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103230516/http://todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-226168-100-turkey-china-move-for-new-cooperation-paradigm.html|archive-date=3 November 2010|url-status=dead}}

Cooperation between China and Turkey has intensified since 2016, with the two countries signing ten bilateral agreements on various matters, including nuclear energy and health policy.{{Cite book |last=Atatüre |first=Süha|title=China and Eurasian Powers in a Multipolar World Order 2.0: Security, Diplomacy, Economy and Cyberspace |date=2023 |publisher=Routledge |others=Mher Sahakyan |isbn=978-1-003-35258-7|location=New York|chapter=The US and China as Main Powers in Multipolar World Order 2.0 |oclc=1353290533}}{{Rp|page=40}}

In 2017, the Chinese ambassador to Turkey Yu Hongyang said that China is ready to discuss Turkey's membership to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Adam |date=16 May 2017 |title=U.S. ally Turkey may have a new best friend in Beijing |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/05/16/u-s-ally-turkey-may-have-a-new-best-friend-in-beijing/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508211013/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/05/16/u-s-ally-turkey-may-have-a-new-best-friend-in-beijing/ |archive-date=8 May 2019}}

In April 2019, China was the first country to congratulate Ekrem İmamoğlu after he became the mayor of Istanbul.{{Cite web|date=22 April 2019|title=BAŞKAN EKREM İMAMOĞLU'NA İLK YABANCI ZİYARET ÇİN'DEN|url=https://www.ibb.istanbul/News/Detail/35352|access-date=2020-11-28|website=www.ibb.istanbul|language=tr|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126210540/https://www.ibb.istanbul/News/Detail/35352|url-status=dead}} Ekrem İmamoğlu told the Chinese Consul General in Istanbul Cui Wei that the political, economic, trade and cultural relations between China and Turkey are very good and important.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2019/gundem/ekrem-imamogluna-cin-baskonsolosundan-ziyaret-4515944/|title=Ekrem İmamoğlu'na Çin Başkonsolosu'ndan ziyaret|website=www.sozcu.com.tr|date=22 April 2019 |language=tr|access-date=2019-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818150931/https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2019/gundem/ekrem-imamogluna-cin-baskonsolosundan-ziyaret-4515944/|archive-date=18 August 2019|url-status=live}}

In July 2019, when Turkish President Erdoğan visited China, he said "It is a fact that the people of all ethnicities in Xinjiang are leading a happy life amid China's development and prosperity".{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-turkey/china-says-turkey-president-offered-support-over-restive-xinjiang-idUSKCN1TX1L7|title=China says Turkey president offered support over restive Xinjiang|website=Reuters|date=2019-07-02|access-date=2019-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031010215/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-turkey/china-says-turkey-president-offered-support-over-restive-xinjiang-idUSKCN1TX1L7|archive-date=31 October 2019|url-status=live}} Erdoğan also said that some people were seeking to "abuse" the Xinjiang crisis to jeopardize "Turkish-Chinese relationship".{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/05/asia/turkey-china-uyghur-erdogan-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Erdogan says Xinjiang camps shouldn't spoil Turkey-China relationship|website=CNN|date=2019-07-02|access-date=2019-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717172750/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/05/asia/turkey-china-uyghur-erdogan-intl-hnk/index.html|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/china-muslim-oppression-xinjiang-turkey-silence-2019-7|title=The last major opponent of China's Muslim oppression has retreated into silence. Here's why that's a big deal.|last=Ma|first=Alexandra|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-08-18|date=6 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117002114/https://www.businessinsider.com/china-muslim-oppression-xinjiang-turkey-silence-2019-7|archive-date=17 November 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3017275/turkish-president-erdogan-says-solution-possible-muslims|title=Erdogan says solution possible for China's Muslims|date=2019-07-04|website=South China Morning Post|access-date=2019-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105122518/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3017275/turkish-president-erdogan-says-solution-possible-muslims|archive-date=5 November 2019|url-status=live}} Beijing also invited Turkish reporters to tour the Xinjiang internment camps. The Chinese Communist Party tabloid newspaper Global Times described the camps as a model for counter-terrorism and a "paradise" for the Uyghurs.{{Cite web|url=https://ahvalnews.com/china-turkey/uighurs-dancing-streets-beijing-battles-extremism-say-turkish-journalists-xinjiang|title=Uighurs dancing in streets as Beijing battles extremism, say Turkish journalists in Xinjiang|website=Ahval|access-date=2019-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818145509/https://ahvalnews.com/china-turkey/uighurs-dancing-streets-beijing-battles-extremism-say-turkish-journalists-xinjiang|archive-date=18 August 2019|url-status=live}}

China criticized the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that China held "Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected and upheld", noted that several sides had "expressed concerns" over Turkey's military operation and urged Turkey to "exercise restraint".{{Cite web|url=http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t1706849.htm|title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on October 10, 2019 – Embassy of the People's Republic of China In the United States of America|website=www.china-embassy.org|access-date=2019-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012085556/http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t1706849.htm|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=live}}

On 21 November 2022, Qian Hongshan, deputy head of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party, visited Istanbul to meet with Ünal Çeviköz, an advisor to Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, as well as Yüksel Mansur Kılınç, MP for the CHP from Istanbul.{{Cite web |title=Çin Komünist Partisi'nden CHP'ye üst düzey ziyaret… |url=https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/cin-komunist-partisinden-chpye-ust-duzey-ziyaret-2004901 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.cumhuriyet.com.tr |date=21 November 2022 |language=tr |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314214609/https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/cin-komunist-partisinden-chpye-ust-duzey-ziyaret-2004901 |url-status=live }}

China offered monetary support to Turkey after the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.{{Cite web |last=Xinhua News Agency |date=7 February 2023 |title=中国政府决定向土耳其和叙利亚提供紧急援助 |trans-title=Chinese government decides to provide emergency aid to Turkey and Syria |url=https://www.toutiao.com/article/7197318290492883516/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230209050139/https://www.toutiao.com/article/7197318290492883516/?wid=1675918912788 |archive-date=9 February 2023 |website=Toutiao |language=zh}} and sent additional personnel to Turkey to help in the relief effort.{{Cite web |last=People's Daily |date=8 February 2023 |title=中国救援队抵达土耳其，将开展国际救援 |trans-title=Chinese rescue team arrives in Turkey and will carry out international rescue |url=https://www.guancha.cn/internation/2023_02_08_678989.shtml |website=Guancha.cn |access-date=14 March 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212151533/https://www.guancha.cn/internation/2023_02_08_678989.shtml |url-status=live }} Chinese leader Xi Jinping, said the country would send aid and medics to the affected regions.{{Cite web |date=7 February 2023 |title=Turkey earthquake prompts outpouring of aid from Asia-Pacific |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Natural-disasters/Turkey-earthquake-prompts-outpouring-of-aid-from-Asia-Pacific#:~:text=Chinese%20President%20Xi%20Jinping%20on,including%20rescue%20and%20medical%20teams. |website=Nikkei Asia |access-date=14 March 2023 |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013004546/https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Natural-disasters/Turkey-earthquake-prompts-outpouring-of-aid-from-Asia-Pacific#:~:text=Chinese%20President%20Xi%20Jinping%20on,including%20rescue%20and%20medical%20teams. |url-status=live }} The government of China has also announced to offer 30 million yuan ($4.4 million) to Syria and 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) to Turkey as emergency humanitarian assistance.{{cite news |date=2023-02-08 |title=China offers emergency aid of $4.4 mln to earthquake-hit Syria |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/chinese-earthquake-rescue-team-arrives-turkey-2023-02-08/ |access-date=8 February 2023 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208073448/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/chinese-earthquake-rescue-team-arrives-turkey-2023-02-08/ |url-status=live }}

On 14 June 2023, Turkey opened a consulate in Chengdu, its fifth mission in China, as well as the 15th diplomatic mission in the city.{{Cite news |last=Zhou |first=Laura |date=14 June 2023 |title=Turkey opens new consulate in southwest Chinese city of Chengdu |work=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3223956/turkey-opens-new-consulate-southwest-chinese-city-chengdu |access-date=14 June 2023 |archive-date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730151434/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3223956/turkey-opens-new-consulate-southwest-chinese-city-chengdu |url-status=live }}

File:Belt and Road Initiative participant map.svg]]

In recent years, the economic relationship between Turkey and China have been growing rapidly.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/404.shtml|title=商务部网站|website=www.mofcom.gov.cn|access-date=2019-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820071042/http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/404.shtml|archive-date=20 August 2019|url-status=live}} In 2000, the total bilateral trade volume between China and Turkey exceeded US$1 billion for the first time. By 2021, bilateral trade between China and Turkey increased to US$35.9 billion.{{Rp|page=40}} As of 2023, China is Turkey's second biggest import partner, after Russia.{{Rp|page=40}} Turkey is an active member of the Belt and Road Initiative program, with BRI investments in Turkey totaling $4 billion as of summer 2022,{{Cite web |last1=Göçer |first1=Derya |last2=Ergenç |first2=Ceren |date=5 May 2023 |title=China's Response to Türkiye's Volatile Authoritarianism |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/05/chinas-response-to-turkiyes-volatile-authoritarianism?lang=en |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |archive-date=19 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519041219/https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/05/05/china-s-response-to-t-rkiye-s-volatile-authoritarianism-pub-89690 |url-status=live }} around 1.3 percent of total BRI investments.

In June 2019, the People's Bank of China transferred $1 billion worth of funds to Turkey to help the Turkish economy.{{Cite web |last=Berman |first=Ilan |date=4 October 2019 |title=Erdogan's Chinese Gamble |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/10/erdogans-chinese-gamble/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005053704/https://thediplomat.com/2019/10/erdogans-chinese-gamble/ |archive-date=5 October 2019 |access-date=2019-10-05 |website=The Diplomat}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-09/turkey-got-1-billion-from-china-swap-in-june-boost-to-reserves|title=Turkey Got a $1 Billion Foreign Cash Boost From China in June|last1=Karakaya|first1=Kerim|last2=Kandemir|first2=Asli|date=9 August 2019|website=Bloomberg|access-date=2019-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010175435/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-09/turkey-got-1-billion-from-china-swap-in-june-boost-to-reserves|archive-date=10 October 2019|url-status=live}} Later in September, China Development Bank granted a $200 million loan to the Industrial and Development Bank of Turkey.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tskb.com.tr/web/307-4340-1-1/tskb-site-en/en-hakkimizda/tskbden-haberler-en/china-development-bank-extends-usd-200-million-loan-to-tskb|title=China Development Bank extends USD 200 million loan to TSKB|website=www.tskb.com.tr|access-date=2019-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010181003/http://www.tskb.com.tr/web/307-4340-1-1/tskb-site-en/en-hakkimizda/tskbden-haberler-en/china-development-bank-extends-usd-200-million-loan-to-tskb|archive-date=10 October 2019|url-status=live}} According to a study done in 2020, the increasing economic cooperation between China and Turkey is shaped by interest-driven calculations to bolster AKP's power internally and internationally.{{Cite journal |last1=Yilmaz |first1=Gözde |last2=Eliküçük Yıldırım |first2=Nilgün |date=2020-10-02 |title=Authoritarian diffusion or cooperation? Turkey's emerging engagement with China |journal=Democratization |language=en |volume=27 |issue=7 |pages=1202–1220 |doi=10.1080/13510347.2020.1777984 |s2cid=221324429 |issn=1351-0347}} In June 2024, Turkey announced a 40 percent tariff on vehicle imports from China,{{Cite news |date=June 8, 2024 |title=Turkey imposes 40% tariff on vehicle imports from China |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/turkey-impose-40-additional-tariff-vehicle-imports-china-2024-06-08/ |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=Reuters}} though it announced in July that Chinese companies that invested in Turkey would be exempt from the tariffs.{{Cite news |date=5 July 2024 |title=Çin menşeli oto ithalatında vergi düzenlemesi: Yatırım yapan muaf olacak |trans-title=Tax regulation on Chinese auto imports: Investors will be exempt |url=https://www.ensonhaber.com/otomobil/cin-menseli-oto-ithalatinda-vergi-duzenlemesi-yatirim-yapan-muaf-olacak |access-date=6 July 2024 |work=En Son Haber |archive-date=6 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706112717/https://www.ensonhaber.com/otomobil/cin-menseli-oto-ithalatinda-vergi-duzenlemesi-yatirim-yapan-muaf-olacak |url-status=live }} In 2024, Chinese EV company BYD agreed to invest $1 billion to build a factory.{{Cite web |last=He |first=Laura |date=2024-07-09 |title=Chinese EV giant BYD to build $1 billion plant in Turkey |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/09/business/china-ev-byd-turkey-plant-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=CNN |language=en}} In October 2024, China filed a complaint against Turkey at the World Trade Organization over its imported electric vehicle tariff.{{Cite news |date=October 8, 2024 |title=China files complaint against Turkey at WTO over electric vehicle tariffs |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/china-files-complaint-against-turkey-wto-over-electric-vehicle-tariffs-2024-10-08/ |access-date=October 9, 2024 |work=Reuters}} In March 2025, the Turkish government announced that Chery's partners will make a US$1 billion investment in Samsun, Turkey for a manufacturing plant with a capacity to create produce 200,000 vehicles a year.{{Cite news |last=Kozok |first=Firat |date=26 March 2025 |title=China's Chery to Invest $1 Billion in Turkey EV Plant |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-26/turkey-expects-chery-to-sign-1-billion-ev-plant-deal |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=Bloomberg News}}

China and Turkey signed a cultural cooperation agreement in November 1993. The exchange programs include sports, education and news.{{Cite web|url=http://tr.china-embassy.org/chn/ztgx/t191491.htm|title=中土关系概况|date=2014-12-25|website=Chinese Embassy in Turkey|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225093013/http://tr.china-embassy.org/chn/ztgx/t191491.htm|archive-date=2014-12-25|access-date=2019-08-18}}

2018 was the "Year of Turkey" in China.{{Cite web|url=https://www.haberturk.com/ekonomi/turizm/haber/1593588-cin-de-2018-turk-yili-olarak-belirlendi|title=1 milyon Çinli bekleniyor|website=hthayat.haberturk.com|date=10 August 2017|language=tr|access-date=2019-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818145509/https://www.haberturk.com/ekonomi/turizm/haber/1593588-cin-de-2018-turk-yili-olarak-belirlendi|archive-date=18 August 2019|url-status=live}} A song created by Xiao Zhang called "I want to take you to romantic Turkey" became one of the most popular songs in China.{{Cite web|url=https://www.takvim.com.tr/guncel/2018/03/05/cinin-en-populer-sarkisinda-turkiye-sozleri|title=Çin'in en popüler şarkısında 'Türkiye' sözleri|website=takvim.com.tr|date=5 March 2018 |language=tr|access-date=2019-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818145509/https://www.takvim.com.tr/guncel/2018/03/05/cinin-en-populer-sarkisinda-turkiye-sozleri|archive-date=18 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/sefer-levent/seni-romantik-turkiyeye-goturmek-istiyorum-sevgilim-40761016|title=Seni romantik Türkiye'ye götürmek istiyorum sevgilim…|last=LEVENT|first=Sefer|website=www.hurriyet.com.tr|date=5 March 2018 |language=tr|access-date=2019-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818145508/http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/sefer-levent/seni-romantik-turkiyeye-goturmek-istiyorum-sevgilim-40761016|archive-date=18 August 2019|url-status=live}}

Chinese tourists to Turkey increased from 98 thousand in 2011 to 300 thousand in 2015 and to 400 thousand in 2018,{{Cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/cinli-turist-sayisinda-son-10-yilda-537-artis-oldu-41241786|title=Çinli turist sayısında son 10 yılda %537 artış oldu|website=www.hurriyet.com.tr|date=12 June 2019 |language=tr|access-date=2019-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818151014/http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/cinli-turist-sayisinda-son-10-yilda-537-artis-oldu-41241786|archive-date=18 August 2019|url-status=live}} marking a 537% increase in the last 10 years. The Turkish government is expecting this number to go up to 1 million in the following years. In the first eight months of 2019, 292,322 Chinese tourists visited Turkey, marking a 12% increase from last year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/11/c_138461866.htm|title=Chinese tourists in Turkey up 40 pct during China's national holiday - Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn|website=www.xinhuanet.com|access-date=2019-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011151840/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/11/c_138461866.htm|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=dead}}

During Erdoğan's visit to China in July 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China would make it easier for Turkish nationals to get Chinese visas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.haberturk.com/merih-demiral-in-vize-sorununu-turkiye-cozdu-2506670-spor|title=Merih'in vize sorununu Türkiye çözdü|website=haberturk.com|date=22 July 2019|language=tr|access-date=2019-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019200440/https://www.haberturk.com/merih-demiral-in-vize-sorununu-turkiye-cozdu-2506670-spor|archive-date=19 October 2019|url-status=live}}

Turkey's cooperation with China for the joint development of ballistic missiles began in the late 1990s, when negotiations for the technology transfer and production under license in Turkey of the American M-270 MLRS artillery rocket system failed. After signing a contract for the licensed production of the Chinese WS-1A and WS-1B rockets under the name of Kasırga in 1997, a similar contract was signed with B-611 SRBM system in 1998. Out of this Turkey manufactured the J-600T Yıldırım tactical ballistic missile with Chinese technology.{{Cite web|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2019/7/4/china-is-heavily-contributing-to-middle-east-drone-proliferation|title=How China is heavily contributing to Middle East drone and missile proliferation|date=2019-07-04|website=Al Araby|access-date=2020-01-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222111958/https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2019/7/4/china-is-heavily-contributing-to-middle-east-drone-proliferation|archive-date=22 December 2019|url-status=live |last1=Iddon |first1=Paul }}

Chinese Flankers used the Konya facilities to exercise with Turkish F-4E Phantoms between 20 September and 4 October 2010. Turkey does not appear to regard these exercises as part of the official Anatolian Eagle series, despite the media reporting them as such. U.S. officials worried that the exercises would allow the Chinese access to Western technology and an understanding of NATO tactics.{{Cite news|url=https://jamestown.org/program/sino-turkish-strategic-partnership-implications-of-anatolian-eagle-2010/|title=Sino-Turkish Strategic Partnership: Implications of Anatolian Eagle 2010|date=2010-01-14|website=Jamestown|access-date=2020-01-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630070034/https://jamestown.org/program/sino-turkish-strategic-partnership-implications-of-anatolian-eagle-2010/|archive-date=30 June 2019|url-status=live}}

In November 2015, Turkey canceled a HQ-9 missile deal with China, opting instead for a domestically developed missile defence system.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/turkey-china-missile-idUSL8N13C3BP20151118 |title=UPDATE 2-Turkey confirms cancellation of $3.4-bln missile defence project awarded to China |editor-first1=Heinrich |editor-last1=Mark |last1=Butler |first1=Daren |last2=Karadeniz |first2=Tulay |last3=Martina |first3=Michael |date=18 November 2015 |website=Reuters |access-date=25 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125230009/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/18/turkey-china-missile-idUSL8N13C3BP20151118 |archive-date=25 November 2015 |url-status=live }} It was reported in 2019 that Turkey is considering buying Shenyang J-31 jets from China because the United States banned selling F-35 jets to Turkey.{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/world/sukhoi-su-57-or-shenyang-j-31-turkey-eyes-russian-chinese-jets-as-us-tightens-the-noose-on-f-35-deal-2211018.html|title=Sukhoi Su-57 or Shenyang J-31? Turkey eyes Russian, Chinese jets as US tightens the noose on F-35 deal|date=2019-06-12|website=Zee News|access-date=2019-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010174840/https://zeenews.india.com/world/sukhoi-su-57-or-shenyang-j-31-turkey-eyes-russian-chinese-jets-as-us-tightens-the-noose-on-f-35-deal-2211018.html|archive-date=10 October 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://ahvalnews.com/us-turkey/can-turkey-find-substitute-f-35|title=Can Turkey find substitute for F-35?|website=Ahval|access-date=2019-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010174840/https://ahvalnews.com/us-turkey/can-turkey-find-substitute-f-35|archive-date=10 October 2019|url-status=live}}

{{Further|Persecution of Uyghurs in China|Persecution of Uyghurs in Turkey}}

{{See also|Istanbul nightclub shooting}}

In 2009, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called the Chinese government's repression of Uyghurs a "genocide".{{Cite web |last=Altay |first=Kuzzat |date=March 2, 2021 |title=Why Erdogan Has Abandoned the Uyghurs |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/03/02/why-erdogan-has-abandoned-the-uyghurs/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604194025/https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/03/02/why-erdogan-has-abandoned-the-uyghurs/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Preto Martini |first=Elia |date=May 10, 2024 |title=The diplomatic ramifications of Erdoğan's Uyghur dilemma |url=https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/diplomatic-ramifications-erdogans-uyghur-dilemma |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=The Diplomatic Courier |language=en}} Following the July 2009 Ürümçi riots, Erdoğan denounced the "savagery" being inflicted on the Uyghur community and called for an end of the Chinese government's attempts to forcibly assimilate the community. Later at the Group of Eight summit in Italy, Erdogan called upon Chinese authorities to intervene to protect the community and stated that "The incidents in China are, simply put, a genocide. There's no point in interpreting this otherwise."{{cite news |date=10 July 2009 |title=Turkish leader calls Xinjiang killings "genocide" |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-china-sb-idUSTRE56957D20090710 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217155235/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-china-sb-idUSTRE56957D20090710 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |access-date=21 February 2021 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite news |title=Turks criticize Chinese treatment of Uyghurs |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/07/11/turkey.china.uyghurs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304064305/https://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/07/11/turkey.china.uyghurs/ |archive-date=4 March 2021 |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=CNN}} As a result of Erdogan's statements, China's relations with Turkey deteriorated temporarily.{{Cite news |last1=Akcay |first1=Nurettin |title=Amid Tensions With Turkey, China Is Putting the Kurdish Issue in Play |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/12/amid-tensions-with-turkey-china-is-putting-the-kurdish-issue-in-play/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219000611/https://thediplomat.com/2021/12/amid-tensions-with-turkey-china-is-putting-the-kurdish-issue-in-play/ |archive-date=19 December 2021 |access-date=19 December 2021 |website=The Diplomat |publisher=}}{{Cite news |last=Han Shih |first=Ton |date=13 June 2012 |title=Ankara eyes investment from HK, mainland China |url=https://www.scmp.com/article/1003830/ankara-eyes-investment-hk-mainland-china |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205164714/https://www.scmp.com/article/1003830/ankara-eyes-investment-hk-mainland-china |archive-date=5 December 2022 |access-date=5 December 2022 |work=South China Morning Post}}

Rebiya Kadeer claimed that Turkey is hampered from offering support to the Uyghurs because of its own Kurdish conflict, which China may interfere with in retaliation.{{cite book|last=Kadeer|first=Rebiya|url=https://archive.org/details/dragonfighterone0000kade/page/273|title=Dragon Fighter One Woman's Epic Struggle for Peace with China|publisher=Kales Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0-9798456-1-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/dragonfighterone0000kade/page/273 273]|url-access=registration}} Turkey has officially designated the East Turkistan Islamic Movement as a terrorist organization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/turkey-china-relations-strategic-cooperation-strategic-partnership|title=Turkey-China Relations: From "Strategic Cooperation" to "Strategic Partnership"?|website=Middle East Institute|language=en|access-date=31 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231131506/https://www.mei.edu/publications/turkey-china-relations-strategic-cooperation-strategic-partnership|archive-date=31 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=2017-08-03|title=Turkey lists "E. Turkestan Islamic Movement" as terrorists - People's Daily Online|url=http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0803/c90883-9250745.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807152808/http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0803/c90883-9250745.html|archive-date=7 August 2017|access-date=2017-08-29|publisher=En.people.cn}} In recent years, China and Turkey have increased cooperation against separatist movements in Xinjiang.{{Cite web|title=Trust highlighted in Turkey ties - Chinadaily.com.cn|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201907/03/WS5d1bab0aa3105895c2e7b428.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809081013/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201907/03/WS5d1bab0aa3105895c2e7b428.html|archive-date=9 August 2019|access-date=2019-08-18|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}} Turkey has also increased deportations of Uyghurs to China.{{Cite web|title=Uighur refugees face deportation to China from Turkey|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-set-deport-uighur-back-china-where-they-could-face-imprisonment|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818145521/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-set-deport-uighur-back-china-where-they-could-face-imprisonment|archive-date=18 August 2019|access-date=2019-08-18|website=Middle East Eye}}{{Cite web|title=Uyghur Mother, Daughters Deported to China From Turkey|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/deportation-08092019171834.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818084650/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/deportation-08092019171834.html|archive-date=18 August 2019|access-date=2019-08-18|website=Radio Free Asia|date=9 August 2019 }}{{Cite news|last=Allen-Ebrahimian|first=Bethany|date=20 May 2020|title=Documents show China's secret extradition request for Uighur in Turkey|work=Axios|url=https://www.axios.com/documents-chinas-secret-extradition-request-uighur-turkey-6d5ba886-c22c-47e8-b970-804fae274e2d.html|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520215705/https://www.axios.com/documents-chinas-secret-extradition-request-uighur-turkey-6d5ba886-c22c-47e8-b970-804fae274e2d.html|archive-date=20 May 2020}} In February 2019, the Spokesperson of the Turkish Foreign Ministry denounced China for "violating the fundamental human rights of Uyghur Turks and other Muslim communities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region."{{cite news|date=12 February 2019|title=Why Is Turkey Breaking Its Silence on China's Uyghurs?|work=The Diplomat|url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/02/why-is-turkey-breaking-its-silence-on-chinas-uyghurs/|url-status=live|access-date=24 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220115818/https://thediplomat.com/2019/02/why-is-turkey-breaking-its-silence-on-chinas-uyghurs/|archive-date=20 February 2019}}{{Cite web|title=From Rep. of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs|url=http://www.mfa.gov.tr/sc_-06_-uygur-turklerine-yonelik-agir-insan-haklari-ihlalleri-ve-abdurrehim-heyit-in-vefati-hk.en.mfa|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211141726/http://www.mfa.gov.tr/sc_-06_-uygur-turklerine-yonelik-agir-insan-haklari-ihlalleri-ve-abdurrehim-heyit-in-vefati-hk.en.mfa|archive-date=11 February 2019|access-date=2019-08-16|website=Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs}} In May 2020, an extradition treaty between Turkey and China was faced an uncertain path to ratification in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.{{Cite news|last=Kashgary|first=Jilil|date=21 May 2020|title=Extradition Treaty That Could Deport Uyghurs From Turkey to China Faces Uncertainty in Ankara|work=Radio Free Asia|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/treaty-05212020170930.html|url-status=live|access-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522001844/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/treaty-05212020170930.html|archive-date=22 May 2020}} The prospect of the extradition treaty's ratification worries Uyghur activists and human rights groups, who fear that the document could negatively affect Uyghurs living in Turkey.{{Cite news|last=Cockerell|first=Isobel|date=13 January 2021|title=Uyghurs in Turkey fear China is leveraging its Covid-19 vaccine to have them deported to Xinjiang|work=Coda Story|url=https://www.codastory.com/disinformation/uyghurs-in-turkey/|access-date=14 April 2021|archive-date=2 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802145437/https://www.codastory.com/disinformation/uyghurs-in-turkey/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Ayasun|first=Abdullah|date=7 January 2021|title=Uyghurs Wary of Turkey's Pending Extradition Deal With China|work=The Diplomat|url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/01/uyghurs-wary-of-turkeys-pending-extradition-deal-with-china/|access-date=14 April 2021|archive-date=29 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229212805/https://thediplomat.com/2021/01/uyghurs-wary-of-turkeys-pending-extradition-deal-with-china/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last1=Davidson|first1=Helen|last2=McKernan|first2=Bethany|date=29 December 2020|title=Pressure on Turkey to protect Uighurs as China ratifies extradition treaty|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/29/pressure-on-turkey-to-protect-uighurs-as-china-ratifies-extradition-treaty}} In July 2020, The Daily Telegraph reported that Turkey was sending Uyghur human activists to third countries where they could then be extradited to China.{{Cite news|last=Browne|first=Gareth|date=2020-07-26|title=How Turkey is sending Muslim Uighurs back to China without breaking its promise|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/26/turkey-sending-muslim-uighurs-back-china-without-breaking-promise/|access-date=2020-07-27|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727013847/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/26/turkey-sending-muslim-uighurs-back-china-without-breaking-promise/|url-status=live}}

The ruling AKP in Turkey has different factions; some of which are nationalists who want to confront China over its treatment of Uyghurs, and other members who want to prioritize good relations with China and believe that the Uyghur issue is being abused to spoil relations between China and Turkey by the United States.{{Cite news|url=https://jamestown.org/program/chinas-tactics-for-targeting-the-uyghur-diaspora-in-turkey/|title=China's Tactics for Targeting the Uyghur Diaspora in Turkey|last=Klimeš|first=Ondřej|date=1 November 2019|website=Jamestown Foundation|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116231654/https://jamestown.org/program/chinas-tactics-for-targeting-the-uyghur-diaspora-in-turkey/|archive-date=16 November 2019|access-date=2019-11-16}} Some Islamist AKP members have accused Rebiya Kadeer of being an "American agent" and "infidel".{{cite news|last=Gurcan|first=Metin|others=Translator Timur Göksel|date=19 January 2015|title=Oppressed by China, Uighurs drawn to Salafist ideas|newspaper=Al-Monitor|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/01/turkey-china-uyghurs-to-salafist-oppressive.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114225743/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/01/turkey-china-uyghurs-to-salafist-oppressive.html|archive-date=14 November 2015}} Turkey has had to follow its own country's interests first with a pragmatic approach to the situation of Turkic peoples in other countries like Uyghurs, Gagauz, and Crimean Tatars.{{cite news|last=Kohen|first=Sami|others=Translator Timur Göksel|date=6 June 2014|title=Turkey's restraint dealing with Turkic groups abroad|newspaper=Al-Monitor|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2014/06/turkey-policy-turkic-origin-separatist-ambitions.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123131300/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2014/06/turkey-policy-turkic-origin-separatist-ambitions.html|archive-date=23 November 2015}} In recent years, those who want to maintain relations with China have gained the upper hand.{{Cite news|last=Clarke|first=Michael|date=4 February 2016|title=Uyghur Militants in Syria: The Turkish Connection|url=https://jamestown.org/program/uyghur-militants-in-syria-the-turkish-connection/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912090603/https://jamestown.org/program/uyghur-militants-in-syria-the-turkish-connection/|archive-date=12 September 2019|access-date=2019-10-27|website=Jamestown Foundation}}

In April 2021, the Chinese ambassador to Turkey was summoned after responding to statements by Turkish politicians Meral Akşener and Mansur Yavaş commemorating those killed in the Barin uprising in Xinjiang in 1990.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2021-04-07|title=Turkey summons Chinese ambassador over response to Uighur claims|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-china-diplomacy-idUSKBN2BT259|access-date=2021-04-08|archive-date=8 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408002254/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-china-diplomacy-idUSKBN2BT259|url-status=live}}

In 2021, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan received the first dose of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac. But Turkey has been accused of agreeing to hand over Uyghurs to China in exchange for access to its COVID-19 vaccines.{{cite web|url=https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-accused-of-trading-uighurs-for-chinese-covid-19-vaccine-357132|title=Turkey accused of trading Uighurs for Chinese covid-19 vaccine|work=WION|date=16 January 2021 |access-date=12 January 2022|archive-date=12 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112040648/https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-accused-of-trading-uighurs-for-chinese-covid-19-vaccine-357132|url-status=live}}

In 2021, Turkish authorities started cracking down on Uyghur protesters in Turkey at the Chinese behest.{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_turkey-cracks-down-uighur-protesters-after-china-complains/6202920.html|title=Turkey Cracks Down on Uighur Protesters After China Complains|publisher=Voice of America|date=5 March 2021|access-date=15 April 2021|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415040932/https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/turkey-cracks-down-uighur-protesters-after-china-complains|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/turkey-abandons-criticism-of-chinas-xinjiang-policies-cracks-down-on-uyghur-activists20210308233337/ |title=Turkey abandons criticism of China's Xinjiang policies, cracks down on Uyghur activists |access-date=15 April 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415041049/https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/turkey-abandons-criticism-of-chinas-xinjiang-policies-cracks-down-on-uyghur-activists20210308233337/ |url-status=live }}

On 24 May 2023, during a program with CNN Türk, Turkish interior minister Süleyman Soylu alleged that the US was "using Uyghur organizations in Turkey against China". He further accused the US of "using our Uyghur Turk brothers" to "continue its policy of squeezing China" which he said affects Turkey as well.{{Cite news |date=24 May 2023 |title=Süleyman Soylu, Doğu Türkistanlıları kızdırdı! LGBT ile bir tuttu |work=Millî Gazete |url=https://www.milligazete.com.tr/haber/15100747/suleyman-soylu-dogu-turkistanlilari-kizdirdi-lgbt-ile-bir-tuttu |access-date=24 May 2023 |archive-date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730151422/https://www.milligazete.com.tr/haber/15100747/suleyman-soylu-dogu-turkistanlilari-kizdirdi-lgbt-ile-bir-tuttu |url-status=live }} He also alleged that the US used the Uyghur issue as a domestic political topic in Turkey for a long time, and that after ISIS fighters "left" Syria, "America placed them on a valley between Afghanistan and China, close to where Uyghurs live in China".{{Cite news |last=Arslan |first=Tunca |date=24 May 2023 |title=Süleyman Soylu ve Çin, ABD, Uygurlar |work=CRI Turk |url=https://criturk.com/suleyman-soylu-ve-cin-abd-uygurlar/ |access-date=24 May 2023 |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524063704/https://criturk.com/suleyman-soylu-ve-cin-abd-uygurlar/ |url-status=live }}

In February 2024, Turkish police arrested six individuals for allegedly spying on Uyghurs and passing information along to Chinese intelligence.{{Cite web |last=Tavsan |first=Sinan |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Turkey detains 6 for allegedly spying on Uyghurs for China |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Turkey-detains-6-for-allegedly-spying-on-Uyghurs-for-China |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB |archive-date=20 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220182124/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Turkey-detains-6-for-allegedly-spying-on-Uyghurs-for-China |url-status=live }}

On March 5, 2024, Turkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan urged Chinese authorities to protect the cultural rights of minority Muslim Uyghurs in China's western Xinjiang province and allow them to “live their values.”{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=Turkey urges Chinese authorities to protect the cultural rights of minority Muslim Uyghurs |url=https://apnews.com/article/turkey-china-uyghurs-cultural-rights-11834ba94024ea82af1f45c5df1fbd82 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606060527/https://apnews.com/article/turkey-china-uyghurs-cultural-rights-11834ba94024ea82af1f45c5df1fbd82 |url-status=live }}

In May 2025, the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) reportedly dismantled a Chinese cyber-espionage cell in Istanbul, accused of using ghost base stations to collect communication data and user information and conduct surveillance of Turkish public officials and Uyghur Turks.{{Cite web |title=Chinese spy network busted in Istanbul in major Turkish intel operation |url=https://www.turkiyetoday.com/nation/chinese-spy-network-busted-in-istanbul-in-major-turkish-intel-operation-3201723 |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Türkiye Today |language=en}}

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• [http://tr.china-embassy.org/chn/ Chinese embassy in Ankara] {{in lang|zh-cn}} {{in lang|en|tr}}
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