'Belt and Road' initiative to boost China, Turkey cooperation

Prof. Huseyin Bagci, head of the international relations department of the Middle East Technical University, said that both China and Turkey will benefit from implementing these initiatives as long as China maintains its rapid economic growth in the future.

Guven Sak, director of a Turkish think-tank, hoped his country can attract more foreign investment in the future under the framework of the belt and road plan.

In his speech, Halil Sivgin, president of a Turkey and China friendship and cooperation association, believed that China-Turkey cooperation will have a very bright future.

He urged the two countries to spare no effort in launching more new projects to push forward the initiatives.

Turkish former foreign minister Yasar Yakis believed that the implementation of "Belt and Road" initiatives will foster an even faster economic growth in related countries.

The Chinese envoy also pointed out China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has an important and unique location with abundant resources, adding that it has already seen large amount of domestic investment over the years, and will play an essential role in the belt and road initiatives.

The growing ties between Turkey and China in recent years, especially on trade and investment, may catapult both countries to work closely. The two countries improved their ties to the strategic partnership in 2010.

According to official statistics, the two-way trade volume between China and Turkey in 2014 totaled $27.8 billion, registering a slight year-on-year decrease of 1.8 percent.

Turkey, with its booming consumer market, proximity to European,

Middle Eastern and African markets, has been important destination for Chinese companies that want to trade and invest.