In August 1971 China and Turkey established diplomatic relations. Since the 1980s, high-level visits between the two countries have increased, and bilateral relations have developed rapidly. In June 2009, Turkish President Abdullah Gul paid a state visit to China, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern. In October 2010, Prime minister Wen Jiabao, on an official visit to Turkey, announced the establishment and development of the bilateral strategic and cooperative relations between the two countries.

1.The Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

On August 4, 1971, in Paris, China and Turkey signed “The Joint Communique of The Establishment of Diplomatic Relations of The People's Republic of China and The Republic of Turkey”, and announced that the two governments based on respecting for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, the principle of equal rights and mutual benefit, in addtion, a decision with immediate effect since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Turkish Government recognizes the PRC government as the sole legal government of China.

The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries which continues the long traditional friendship, accords with the interests of the two peoples, conforms to the trend of the times. Meanwhile, has made a positive contribution to the Eurasian continent of peace, development and cooperation. With the establishment of diplomatic ties as a turning point, bilateral relations have entered a new phase.

2. To Strengthen High-level Visits

In June 1978, Minister of Foreign Affairs Huang Hua visited to Turkey, which was New China's foreign minister first set foot on the land of Turkey since established diplomatic relations of the two countries. The visit was the first high-level contacts between the two countries since the founding of New China, the two sides agreed on consensus in a series of international and regional issues.

Be that beginning, China and Turkey gradually increased high-level exchanges between the two countries, bilateral economic and trade, cultural, military, sports exchanges in full swing. In December 1981,Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilter Turkmen visited to China, which was a return visit of Foreign Minister Huang Hua’s visit to Turkey in 1978.In December 1982, Turkish President Kenan Evren visited to China, which was the first time a Turkish head of state has visited China since the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.

In April 2000, Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited to Turkey. In April 2002, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji visited to Turkey. Subsequently, in December 2008 and April 2010, China CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Changchun visited Turkey.

Establishment of diplomatic relations 40 years ago, heads of state, heads of government, the Speaker, Foreign Minister army generals of the two countries exchanged visits, enhanced mutual understanding, strengthen mutual political trust between the two countries, and promote the comprehensive development of bilateral relations. Both sides agreed that China and Turkey is an important country in Eurasia, both sides attach importance to the strategic role played by each other.

3. To Promote Strategic Cooperation

In October 2010, at the invitation of the Republic of Turkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made an official visit to the Republic of Turkey.

During the visit, Premier Wen Jiabao met with President Gul and held talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The leaders of the two countries in-depth exchanged views of further expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and regional and international issues and reached broad consensus. The leaders of the two countries agreed that China and Turkey are the emerging developing countries, both countries are at an important stage of their development under the background of the history of the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes, the bilateral friendly cooperation have been expanding, increasingly rich connotation, not only benefit the two peoples, but also conducive to regional and world peace, stability and development.

After the talks, the two sides issued “The People Republic of China and the Republic of Turkey Joint Statement on Establishing and Developing Strategic Cooperative Relations”, and announced that the establishment and development of strategic partnerships, has opened a new chapter in the development of relations between China and Turkey.

4.Strengthen the Military and Security Cooperation

Religious extremism, ethnic separatism and international terrorism (referred to as “three evil forces ”) is a common threat to China and Turkey, meanwhile the two countries considered that “three evil forces” has become an international nuisance. In recent years, China and Turkey launched a series of cooperation in the joint fight against “three evil forces”.

In April 2002 Premier Zhu Rongji and Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit held talks on the East Turkistan and exchanged views on issues. Zhu said that China appreciates the Turkish government has repeatedly stressed that Xinjiang is part of Chinese territory, and has taken some concrete measures to limit East Turkistan elements of the anti-China separatist activities in Turkey. China believes that China and Turkey as an important country, shoulder important responsibilities in the fight against international terrorism and safeguarding regional peace and stability, jointly combat the East Turkistan terrorists, conforms with the fundamental interests of the two countries maintain security and stability. So hope China-Turkey closer cooperation and jointly prevent the East Turkistan terrorist damage to bilateral relations. Ecevit said that Turkey opposed any form of world terrorism, the two sides have had a good cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism. For activity of the Turkish part of the East Turkistan elements, Turkey side will strengthen restrictions, the Turkish government does not support terrorist activities of the East Turkistan.

In recent years, bilateral cooperation in judicial, police, counter-terrorism intelligence exchange, joint military exercises and other fields is increasing. On February 14, 2000, China and Turkey signed “The PRC Government and The Government of The Republic of Turkey Cooperative Agreement of Combating Transnational Crime” .In June 2005, at the invitation of Chinese Armed Police Force (CAPF), Turkey's military police forces commander Turkeri's visit to China, the two sides pledged to strengthen further in the maintenance of public order and the fight against crime and terrorism exchanges and cooperation.