Türkiye–China business conference in Istanbul signals deeper trade ties

2026-02-08 - 07:15

The third Türkiye–China Business Conference took place in Istanbul, positioning the city as a central platform for dialogue on bilateral trade and investment. The event gathered high-level officials and business community representatives from both countries, reflecting the growing economic engagement between Türkiye and China. The conference coincided with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ankara and Beijing. Focus on trade and investment cooperation Türkiye’s Trade Minister Ömer Bolat emphasized that the primary goal of the meeting was to transform ongoing contacts into tangible outcomes, including joint ventures, new investments, and agreements that would improve the quality and balance of bilateral trade. He noted that such platforms play a critical role in aligning the expectations of public institutions and the private sector. China’s perspective on bilateral relations Chinese Ambassador to Türkiye Jiang Xuebin described the conference as an important opportunity to exchange views on advancing economic and commercial cooperation. Referring to China’s global initiatives on development, security, and governance, he stated that these frameworks support a more inclusive and mutually beneficial model of growth. He also highlighted that China remains Türkiye’s largest trading partner, with Chinese companies contributing to employment and tax revenues within the country. Financial ties and regional context Wang Kang, Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of China, underlined Türkiye’s strategic importance in West Asia. He noted that Türkiye ranks among China’s top trading and investment partners in the region, while China is Türkiye’s second-largest overall trading partner and its leading source of imports. Wang added that China places strong importance on cooperation with Türkiye in supporting overseas investment and development initiatives.