The announcement that Chinese automotive giant BYD will build a multi-billion-dollar factory in Turkey marks a significant turning point in relations between the two countries. This news comes after years of tensions due to Ankara’s support for the Uighur minority in China. According to Voice of America correspondent Dorian Jones, the two countries are increasingly finding common ground, not only on economic issues but also on diplomatic ones.
In July, the Chinese automotive giant BYD signed a deal to build a multi-billion-dollar factory in Turkey. The factory will produce 150,000 vehicles annually, primarily for the European Union market. Analysts say the deal marks a turning point in Turkey-China relations.
“This deal could reduce Turkey’s trade deficit. For China, the agreement is also significant because products manufactured in Turkey will be exempt from tariffs due to Turkey’s customs agreements with the European Union,” says Sibel Karabel, Director of the Asia-Pacific Department at Gedik University in Istanbul.
Analysts say that the plan for this factory is a way to circumvent new EU tariffs on Chinese vehicles. They also note that the new investment is a sign of a shift in Beijing’s policy after years of avoiding investments in Turkey.
“There have been no Chinese investments in Turkey because China views Turkey as a high political risk country in the region,” says Ceren Ergenc, a China expert at the Center for European Policy Studies.
This is changing now, and some members of the Uighur minority are concerned that Turkey is abandoning them.
Ankara has been critical of Beijing’s repression of the predominantly Muslim Uighur minority. Turkey has provided asylum to many Uighurs. Analysts say that Uighur dissidents fear that the multi-billion-dollar Chinese investment in Turkey might be part of a deal reached during the recent visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to China.
“There is speculation that the Chinese side is pressuring for the ratification of the extradition agreement, demanding that at least some of the Uighurs sheltered in Turkey be returned to face trials in China,” says Cagdas Ungor from Marmara University.
Others suggest that China’s policy shift towards Turkey, a NATO member, may be part of a growing competition, especially with the United States, for global influence.
Analysts also point out that Ankara and Beijing are finding common diplomatic ground, including criticism of Israel’s war against Hamas.
“If you look at the Gaza issue currently, Turkey and China have a similar stance. Their foreign policies are quite different from those of Western countries. Even at the regional level, China seems to be a much better partner than Western countries,” says analyst Cagdas Ungor.
Ankara welcomed the reception given by Beijing to Palestinian leaders in July. The Israel conflict is at risk of escalating, and analysts say this could bring China and Turkey even closer together.
