Türkiye’s Ambassador to Beijing, Selçuk Ünal, underlined that visa procedures for Turkish citizens seeking to travel to China for tourism are expected to become more accessible. “We hope to establish a more convenient visa system for our citizens wishing to visit China as tourists. Our consultations and diplomatic engagements on this matter are ongoing,” Ambassador Ünal stated. He also expressed confidence that bilateral relations between the two countries “will further advance in the coming period.”
Ongoing Consultations for Facilitating Tourist Visas
Ambassador Ünal highlighted that China has become Türkiye’s largest trading partner in Asia and its third-largest globally, with the bilateral trade volume reaching approximately 48 billion USD. He noted that, alongside expanding commercial activities, the Embassy continues addressing challenges faced by Turkish nationals applying for individual tourist visas to China. According to Ünal, both the Turkish Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have formally raised the issue with Chinese authorities.
He emphasized the shared civilizational heritage of the two countries: “China, like Türkiye, is an ancient and enduring civilization. As two historic cultures, our relations have always endured. Since the Ottoman era, we have maintained robust diplomatic, commercial, and cultural exchanges. China remains a country that attracts significant interest and admiration in Türkiye. We therefore advocate for a more streamlined visa system for Turkish tourists. Our initiatives and engagements in this regard continue.”
Integration of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Middle Corridor
Addressing Türkiye’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Ambassador Ünal recalled the long-standing historical connection represented by the Silk Road: “For centuries, the Silk Road linked the peoples, merchants, artists, and diplomats of Türkiye and China. Travel that once took seven years is now dramatically transformed. Viewing the contemporary Silk Road as today’s Belt and Road Initiative, we have supported the project from the outset. Simultaneously, we have advanced our own Middle Corridor initiative and seek to ensure that the two frameworks operate in an integrated and mutually reinforcing manner.”
First Freight Train from China Arrived in Istanbul in 15 Days
Discussing developments within this integration framework, Ünal noted the launch of the first freight train services from China’s Chongqing and Chengdu to Türkiye in July. “The first train departing from Chongqing reached Istanbul in just 15 days—significantly faster and more cost-efficient compared to maritime transport. Additionally, it contributes positively to the green economy. We continue to hold discussions with Chinese counterparts to further align this route with the Middle Corridor,” he stated.
Enhanced Cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Regarding the future of Türkiye’s long-standing dialogue partnership with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Ambassador Ünal emphasized that the latest summit elevated all partnership categories to a unified partnership level. He also highlighted the long-anticipated decision to establish a development bank: “The proposed bank will focus on investment and development, offering credit facilities. Once operational, I am confident that it will further strengthen the relations of all members and partners with the SCO.”
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