Turkiye’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan has drawn condemnation from East Turkistan exile leadership after calling for deeper cooperation with China and describing Turkiye’s position on the Uyghur issue as a “historic opportunity” for Beijing.
Fidan made the remarks during an annual press conference with representatives of domestic and international media on January 15, where he outlined Ankara’s approach to relations with China. His comments came amid growing scrutiny of China’s atrocities in East Turkistan, what Beijing calls “Xinjiang (New Territory),” an occupied country under Chinese control since 1949.
Fidan outlines China policy at press conference
Speaking at the press conference, Fidan emphasised Turkiye’s intention to expand relations with China across political, economic and strategic fields, portraying Beijing as a powerful partner and downplaying security-related concerns.
“Our will is to develop our relations with China in all fields, because China is a powerful country. It has no problems with Türkiye; nor does it share a border with Türkiye. It may appear as if there are some security-related issues… but I have discussed these with our Chinese colleagues for years… Actually, these are all matters that have answers; there should not be too much of a problem here.”
— Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister of Turkiye
Fidan also addressed Turkiye’s stance on the Uyghur issue, describing it as a “historic opportunity” and “win-win” for China.
“Regarding the Uyghur issue, you know where we stand. I evaluate that there is a historic opportunity before China here. Because in a Türkiye where there is a leader like our President—that is, a country that produces a policy with every country… based on the win-win principle… relations can go even further.”
— Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister of Turkiye
During the same remarks, Fidan highlighted economic cooperation with China, including Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative and Turkiye’s role in the Middle Corridor, and welcomed what he described as China’s “constructive roles” in regional affairs, including mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
East Turkistan Government-in-Exile condemns remarks
The comments prompted a response from the East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE), which accused Ankara of aligning with Beijing against the Uyghurs and East Turkistan’s independence struggle.
In a statement issued on X following the press conference, Salih Hudayar, the ETGE’s minister of foreign affairs and security, said Fidan’s remarks reflected decades of Turkish cooperation with China at the expense of East Turkistan.
“Since 1996, Turkiye has actively worked with China to undermine and suppress East Turkistan’s independence struggle. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan presents Turkiye’s stance on the Uyghurs as a ‘historic opportunity for China,’ and issues a ‘win-win’ call that will deepen this betrayal.”
— Salih Hudayar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Security, East Turkistan Government in Exile
The condemnation reflects the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile’s long-standing position. The ETGE has been the only East Turkistan exile body to issue repeated public condemnations of Turkiye’s cooperation with China against East Turkistan and its native peoples, including Uyghurs.
