ASIA
Cooperation and development emphasized at the Euro-Asia Economic Forum
The 2023 Euro-Asia Economic Forum, centered on ‘Creating Opportunities for Cooperation and Pursuing Development,’ concluded after a three-day session in Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.
This international gathering brought together politicians, business leaders, and academics from 51 countries and regions, reflecting the event’s global significance.
The forum featured 13 parallel sessions addressing key areas such as policy coordination, financial cooperation, economic and trade exchanges, technological innovation, ecological protection, and culture and tourism development. Additionally, an international import exhibition area and an economic and trade fair showcasing the participation of five Central Asian countries were inaugurated on the forum’s sidelines.
Chinese experts and officials underscored the resilience of China’s economic growth and the vital role regional economic cooperation plays in supporting this growth.
Ye Niuping, Mayor of Xi’an and the forum’s host, commented on the wave of economic recovery, citing Xi’an’s example—a city with 14 million permanent residents and a substantial tourist influx. He emphasized the domestic demand driving economic growth.
Zhang Yuyan, President of the National Global Strategy Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, expressed confidence in China’s steady economic recovery since the easing of Covid-19 control measures, foreseeing further progress.
The Euro-Asian Economic Forum, a pivotal economic cooperation mechanism within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, has been convening biennially since its inception in 2005.
Opportunities for Turkey-China Cooperation along the Belt and Road
During a parallel session organized by the Institute of World Economy and Policy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Global Strategy Institute, Europe-Asia Economic Forum Secretariat, and Shaanxi Academy of Social Sciences, participants discussed cooperation and development opportunities in the new era.
Dr. Serdar Yurtçiçek, China representative of Harici Media and a postdoctoral researcher at the Turkish Studies, affiliated with the Institute of Global Studies at Shanghai University, delivered a presentation on China, the Belt and Road strategy and Turkey’s strategic position.
Highlighting Turkey’s pivotal role within the Belt and Road initiative, Yurtçiçek stressed the importance of collaboration between Turkey and China, particularly in Central Asia.
He stated, “Turkey’s historical and cultural ties with Central Asia have fostered a profound interaction and understanding with the region’s countries. Shared language, religion, and culture have facilitated strong diplomatic and cultural relations. The Organization of Turkic States stands as a testament to Turkey’s commitment to enhancing ties with Central Asian nations.”
Conversely, China has risen as an economic powerhouse in Central Asia. The region’s abundant natural resources and strategic location present significant economic opportunities for China. As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, China is making substantial investments in infrastructure projects throughout Central Asia.
The convergence of Turkey and China in Central Asia yields numerous cooperative possibilities:
- Infrastructure and Investment: Turkey’s historical and cultural connections in the region can bolster China’s capacity to gain local support and understanding for infrastructure projects, expediting their completion.
- Energy Cooperation: Central Asia’s abundant energy resources hold strategic importance for both Turkey and China, fostering potential collaboration in energy transport and distribution.
- Cultural Exchange: Turkey’s cultural influence in the region can facilitate cultural exchange programs between China and Central Asian countries, promoting regional understanding and cooperation.
- Education and Technology: Turkey and China can establish joint education and research programs with universities in Central Asia, bolstering the region’s educational and technological capabilities.
Central Asia emerges as a strategic arena for cooperation between Turkey and China. Their historical ties and China’s economic prowess have the potential to cultivate sustainable, mutually beneficial collaboration in the region.