CRI听力:China, Turkey Pledge Mutual Support, Closer Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his Turkish counterpart on Wednesday in Beijing.

He says he appreciates President Erdogan's stance over the relationship between China and Turkey.

"Honorable President, you paid three visits to China when you served as the president of the ruling party, Prime Minister, and now as Turkish President, which shows you attach great importance to the relationship between China and Turkey. I highly appreciate that."

Although it is Erdogan's first visit to China since he took the office, he has met with Xi Jinping several times before.

President Xi says they've had frank discussions and reached consensus on many issues.

"We agreed that the two sides should support each other over issues of major concern and deepen our the strategic cooperative ties. I am willing to work with you to fully summarize the China-Turkey relationship, and then we can keep in mind the general direction of the bilateral ties, strengthen political trust and link our development strategies. "

President Xi praised Erdogan and the Turkish government for their stance opposing all forms of terrorism as well as all attempts in Turkish territory to harm China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Xi Jinping added that China is willing to boost law enforcement and security cooperation between the two countries.

He said he looks forward to closer communications between legislatures and government agencies of the two countries to ensure their strategic cooperation progresses along the right track.

For his part, Erdogan stressed that the Turkish government sticks to the one-China policy, supports China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposes terrorist activities of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement aimed at China.

"The two sides will celebrate the 45th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. We upgraded the bilateral relationship to strategic cooperative ties in 2010. Now we are taking solid steps to push forward the development of this relationship. I believe my visit here will enhance our mutual political trust and promote people-to-people exchanges. "

Briefing the media following the leaders' meeting, Chinese vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming said the two leaders also expressed willingness to link China's Belt and Road initiatives with Turkey's development strategy in pursuit of common prosperity.

"During the talks, President Erdogan showed great interest in the 'One Belt, One Road' initiatives, and expressed willingness to cooperate within this framework. The two sides believe that linking the Belt and Road initiatives with Turkey's development strategy can strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields. For instance, Turkey has a grand plan of high-speed rail construction. Chinese enterprises are encouraged to take part in it."

On the long-standing talks over Turkey's purchase of the Chinese long-range surface-to-air missile system, Zhang Ming declined to give more details, only saying it is the common wish of the two countries to strengthen defense cooperation.

Turkey, a NATO member, accepted a bid from a Chinese firm for its first anti-missile system back in 2013.

However, the 3.4 billion- US-dollar deal is yet to be signed due to U.S. and Western concerns.

Earlier on Wednesday, Erdogan laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Beijing and then met with the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

For CRI, I am Niu Honglin.