Chinese VP aims to boost ties with Turkey

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping has begun a visit to Turkey in order to strengthen bilateral ties in the economic, political and security realms. Xi firstly visited Ataturk's Mausoleum, where he laid a wreath and put a signature on the guest book yesterday. Afterwards, Xi met with Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek at the Parliament, where he said that his visit aimed to intensify relations between the two countries in political, economic and security realms. Xi also stressed the importance of friendly ties between Turkey and China dating back to many years. Speaking in his part, Cicek defined Turkey and China as two great countries and representatives of two rooted civilizations on western and eastern sides of Asia. Cicek added that ensuring close cooperation between these important countries would be beneficial both to the region and the entire world. After completing his contacts at the Parliament, Xi proceeded to the Cankaya Presidential Palace, where he was officially welcomed by President Abdullah Gul. Xi and Gul held bilateral and inter-delegation meetings which were also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and Development Minister Cevdet Yilmaz. Xi thanked Gul for making contributions to developments between the two countries, adding that China attaches great importance to its relations with Turkey. Reportedly, Xi and Gul discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as regional issues covering mostly Syria and Iran. Xi and Gul also signed seven cooperation agreements worth a total of $10 billion, including a currency swap agreement worth 3 billion Turkish liras (10 billion Yuan) in order to facilitate bilateral trade in the Turkish and Chinese currencies and promote the international use of Yuan. Following the signature ceremony, Gul hosted a lunch in the honor of Xi which was also attended by Caglayan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz and approximately 60 businessmen. Afterwards, Xi proceeded to Istanbul and met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at his office in Dolmabahce Palace. During the meeting which was closed to the press, Xi and Erdogan discussed the increasing economic ties between the two countries, and Xi invited Erdogan to China for an official visit.