China-Turkey Relations Grow Despite Differences Over Uighurs

Co-Authored with Bertrand Viala

The Middle East Institute originally published this article on March 15, 2017

Since the failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016, Turkey has been looking east for new partners to decrease Ankaras dependence on traditional Western allies. The election of Donald Trump has contributed to the further estrangement of Turkeys relationship with its traditional NATO allies, leaving Ankara less comfortable remaining so reliant on Washington for regional security matters. Unquestionably, Russia has played the most influential role in Turkeys strategic pivot of the past eight months . However, China also factors into Turkeys eastward shift.

Despite China not being one of Turkeys major trading partners in the 20th century, Sino-Turkish relations have grown significantly since Turkeys Justice and Development Party (A.K.P.) came to power in 2002. At that time, bilateral trade was roughly $1 billion; last year that figure reached $27 billion . As the A.K.P. has sought to continue strengthening Turkeys relationship with China, the partys ideology and domestic political agendas have at times constrained the potential for Ankara and Beijing to deepen their links. Specifically, tensions between the Chinese government and the countrys Muslim-practicing Uighur minority in Xinjiang have fueled problems in Sino-Turkish relations. Yet at this point, given Ankaras interest in diversifying its web of partners on the international stage, it appears that the A.K.P. leadership has taken stock of Chinas value to Turkey and has decided to tone down its public displays of solidarity with the Uighurs.

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