To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Turkey, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries held "China-Turkey People-to-People Dialogue on Friendship and Cooperation" online. About 60 people attended the online event, including President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Lin Songtian, Chinese ambassador to Turkey Liu Shaobin, representatives of foreign affairs offices and associations for friendship with foreign countries from 18 provinces and cities in China, Director of Turkish Studies Center at Beijing Language and Culture University, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey Serif Alp Atakcan, and heads of Turkey-China Friendship Association and other non-governmental institutions.

The two sides conducted in-depth and friendly exchanges on "non-governmental forces promote win-win cooperation and common development between China and Turkey."  Both sides agreed that they should make full use of their comparative advantages of non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and sister cities, work together to confront risks and challenges, and deepen policy alignment between China's Belt and Road Initiative and Turkey's Trans-Caspian East-West-Middle Corridor Initiative. They should make continuous efforts to better benefit the Chinese and Turkish people, achieve win-win cooperation, and realize common development.

After the event, the two sides issued the Joint Initiative Between Chinese and Turkish NGOs Representatives on Strengthening Unity and Cooperation and Opposing the Politicization of COVID-19 Pandemic, calling upon the international community to stand together to tide over the difficulties, safeguard fairness and justice, and promote common development and shared prosperity.

Representatives of the Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal Government attended the event online.

(Photo credit: The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC))