Chinese envoy to Ankara: Sino-Turkish ties getting stronger

Chinese ambassador to Ankara Yu Hongyang said that bilateral cooperation in many areas between Turkey and China is increasing rapidly. Speaking at an event in Ankara late on Thursday held for the 20th anniversary of the former British colony Hong Kong's return to China, Yu said Turkish-Chinese relations are growing, adding that Turkish-Hong Kong relations are also flourishing.

"As the Chinese-Turkish relationship has developed in a comprehensive and rapid manner, the business alliance between Turkey and Hong Kong is also rapidly increasing. Turkey opened a consulate general in Hong Kong in 1974, and established close economic, commercial and human relations with Hong Kong," Yu said.

Explaining that communication between the two sides has grown, he said: "In 2016, Turkey's exports to Hong Kong grew by 16 percent in comparison to the previous year. Turkish Airlines makes flights between Turkey and Hong Kong, and the number of Hong Kong tourists traveling to Turkey is also increasing." He said that Beijing aims to improve the already friendly relations with Turkey and take it to a new level. Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997. Turkish-Chinese relations have developed in recent years. The trade volume between the two countries was around $1 billion in 2003, but has increased to $27 billion in a decade. More than 10 agreements have also been signed in the last decade to improve trade.