Chinese envoy tells Toptani Davutoglu incidents in Xinjiang

YAYINLAMA
GÜNCELLEME

Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan yesterday received senior Chinese diplomat Song Aiguo, a former ambassador to Turkey, together with current Chinese Ambassador in Ankara Xigosheng Gong. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Song said that he had told Toptan about the recent violent incidents that took place in China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. "It is painful for us, because those who lost their lives are our citizens," Song said. Saying that the region's government took the necessary measures to provide security, Song said that now the situation is returning to normal. Over 180 people died and more than 1,000 were wounded in the incidents, Song said. Song also said that there was unity and solidarity among China's 56 ethnic groups and that those who provoked the incidents wanted to destroy this unity and sow conflict. Meeting later with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, Song reportedly said that China places great importance on its strategic ties with Turkey. For his part, Davutoglu reportedly again conveyed Turkey's concerns and expectations concerning the recent incidents.