ISTANBUL, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The 3rd China-Türkiye Business Conference was held in Istanbul on Saturday, bringing together more than 300 representatives from government bodies, business associations and enterprises from both countries to explore new drivers of trade growth and cooperation.
Ren Hongbin, chairperson of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), led a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs to attend the event. In his remarks, Ren said China and Türkiye, once connected by the ancient Silk Road, have a strong foundation for bilateral cooperation and great potential ahead.
He cited projects such as China-Europe freight trains passing through Türkiye, the Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway jointly built by Chinese and Turkish companies, and the growing popularity of Turkish products such as pistachios in the Chinese market as tangible outcomes of the cooperation.
Ren said the CCPIT is willing to work closely with Turkish partners to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the sustained development of China-Türkiye relations.
Türkiye's Minister of Trade Omer Bolat spoke highly of the achievements in bilateral economic and trade relations, noting that China is among Türkiye's top three trading partners. He said the two sides have significant potential for cooperation in supply chains, and that Türkiye has high expectations for expanding tourism cooperation with China.
Bolat said the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has become an important avenue for Türkiye-China cooperation in transportation and connectivity. He added that Türkiye welcomes increased Chinese investment and encourages Turkish companies to further explore the Chinese market.
During the forum, the CCPIT renewed memorandums of understanding with the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye and the Turkish Industry and Business Association. The China International Exhibition Center Group promoted the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo, which will take place in Beijing in June, and signed a cooperation memorandum with Türkiye's Ata Holding.
Participants also held thematic discussions and business matchmaking sessions on artificial intelligence, tourism, aviation, and energy. ■
