There is a further angle to the Turkish-Chinese relationship, in that there is an ethnic link between the Turks and China's Uygur minority. China has some concerns about extremist and terrorist groups emerging among the Uygurs of Xinjiang, and Erdoğan will wish to assure China that Turkey has no wish to encourage extremism. He was also careful to dissociate his government from occasional anti-Chinese demonstrations in Turkey which have cast a shadow over the preparations for the visit. It was noted in Turkey that Erdoğan has not repeated the visit to Xinjiang which he made on his previous trip to China in 2012, as this might have given rise to misunderstandings. A Chinese spokesperson reported the agreement of both sides as saying that "terrorism is the common enemy of humankind and China and Turkey….will therefore strengthen cooperation" against it.

China, of course, has no wish to become embroiled in the troubles of the Middle East, but Erdoğan's visit will have provided a useful opportunity to update China on a situation which certainly affects wider global security, which could impact on China as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. And Turkey currently finds itself in a difficult position. Both Syria and Iraq, where the bulk of the fighting is taking place against the so-called "Islamic State," have borders with Turkey. And, although Turkey remains a member of the NATO alliance, there is a certain conflict of interest between Turkey and its allies. NATO is primarily concerned with defeating the Islamic State, whereas Turkey is more worried about the Kurds within Syria and Iraq, who are doing most of the fighting against IS, but who threaten to proclaim a Kurdish national state which would include parts of Turkish territory. Thus Turkey is pursuing a dual-track strategy, stepping up activities against IS and against the Kurdish forces at the same time. This slight disconnect with NATO policy gives Turkey an interest in maintaining strong counterbalancing relationships outside the NATO ambit, to avoid isolation.

But China will want to keep Turkey on side on the issue of terrorism and separatism, without wanting to get involved with Turkey's disputes, either with its regional neighbors or with NATO. China's consistent policy is to build economic stakeholdings in every part of the world, not just to generate mutual economic benefits but to underpin international security by giving as many countries as possible a firm stake in the preservation of peace. Clearly China's aim is to involve Turkey in the Belt and Road program as part of the requirement to preserve security in the troubled regions through which the links must pass. China hopes that this will be possible without having to get involved iteslf, and thus needs reliable partners in the region.

The writer is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/timcollard.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn

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