On August 18, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held telephone talks with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey at request. Both sides had in-depth exchanges on the current situation.

Wang Yi manifested the Chinese side’s principled stance on committing to developing China-Turkey strategic cooperative relations, and expressed that the Chinese side supports the Turkish side’s efforts in maintaining national security and stability and promoting economic and social development. It is believed that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish people will surely be united to conquer the temporary difficulties and achieve stable development. The Chinese side is willing to, together with the Turkish side, jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, especially of emerging economies.

Mevlut Cavusoglu introduced the current situation in Turkey and the stance of the Turkish side, and stressed that the Turkish side will overcome the current challenges. The Turkish side stands ready to enhance strategic communication in this regard with the Chinese side. Mevlut Cavusoglu also expressed that the Turkish side hopes to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with the Chinese side and will actively participate in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.