Daily SABAH is unabashedly pro-AKP and is proud to be called the party’s mouthpiece. Frequent users of Google’s search engine will have noticed that daily SABAH and Anatolian Agency’s (the state news agency, also under AKP’s control) articles almost always get top billing, thus making sure that casual followers of Turkey only hear the pro-AKP views of Turkey and the world.
In this sense, it is very noteworthy that daily SABAH ran an op-ed by Mr. Muhammet Ali Guler on Uighurs in China, which is a subject taboo to Erdogan’s administration. The Western press frequently claims that the abuse heaped upon poor Uighurs, which has drawn wide-spread condemnation, will not hinder the advancement of Sino-Turkey economic relations. In fact some of Turkey’s sensationalist opposition newspapers joined the world press, claiming four giga-construction firms from China are limbering up to bid for the Canal Istanbul project.
PA Turkey urges Turkey enthusiasts to read this article, which may be reflective of changing AKP views, before judging the future of Sino-Turkey relations:
Sino-Turkish ties: Uyghurs and the new world order
Perhaps the most significant hindrance of the steady relationship between Turkey and China is the issue of the Uyghurs.
There is a huge concern among the Turkish people about the well-being of Uyghurs in China. On March 25, after a recent meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Wang, Çavuşoğlu tweeted that “we expressed our sensitivity and thoughts about Uyghur Turks.”
Later, the Chinese Embassy’s Twitter account targeted two prominent opposition politicians in Turkish politics, who criticized China over the treatment of Uyghurs. Ankara summoned China’s envoy and conveyed its discomfort over the incident.
The events reflect that Ankara always shares its opinions on this issue directly.
Besides, the world has been observing the Uyghur situation in China. Many Western countries have clearly urged China to stop its bad treatment of Uyghurs.
The U.S., Canada and the European Union have imposed sanctions on several Chinese officials and companies. On the eve of Wang’s visit to the Middle East, the U.K. also announced sanctions on four Chinese officials over the Uyghur issue.
Western powers have publicly called for other countries to take a similar stance against China over the Uyghur issue. During his visit to Japan on March 7, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described China’s actions as aggressive and repressive.
Blinken also underlined the importance of ties with Japan, South Korea and their allies. The U.S. has repeatedly emphasized that it does not welcome China’s political, economic and cultural intentions and approaches.
In one instance, the Confucian institutions are considered espionage organizations.
World heading to…
The latest war of words between U.S. and Chinese officials in Alaska revealed a stark and profound clash of ideas on the world order.
Chinese officials rightfully criticized the so-called “rules-based world order,” which favors certain countries. They articulated that China is an advocate of the U.N.-centered international system where Beijing and Ankara have intersecting interests.
The recent developments in Turkey’s neighboring regions have shown that new political, economic and social moves will be made to subvert internal and regional peace and stability, pushing Ankara into a quagmire in Syria and Iraq.
While these events seemingly look simple, they increasingly impact Turkey’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
For instance, Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) has shown its hidden and sneaky agenda by claiming territorial ownership of almost half of Turkey against Turkey.
There is evidence that U.S. diplomats took part in Nevruz celebrations with the KRG. Furthermore, there are many reports of the legal or illegal presence of the PKK in many countries.
Additionally, it seems that Turkey is a strong advocate of China treating Uyghurs better. It is odd to see the frequency of news circulating about the YPG/PKK on western media, including in China.
These media reports portray the YPG/PKK as the saviors of the region and the first line of defense again Daesh terrorists.
Here, it should be mentioned that Turkish forces have lost over 30 military officers in the fight against Daesh. Turkey has been reiterating its call for an international consensus to eliminate all terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq.
However, this call has been regularly ignored or declined by the rules-based international community.
Ankara should directly and frankly ask China about its stance on these terrorist groups that are direct threats to the Turkish presence in the region, who are there to bring peace.
Several scholars have repeated that Turkish-China relations will not take the desired shape unless both countries positively change their perceptions of the other.
Ankara’s call for the betterment of Uyghurs’ living conditions is the right policy. Turkey agrees with China that a revolution is needed in the current rules-based world order in order to evolve into a more comprehensive system. The countries’ rational moves reveal that they both are against hegemonic powers and policies.
The Uyghur issue should be considered a red line from a humanitarian perspective. Ankara and Beijing should collaborate in a way that benefits both nations and satisfies the world’s Uyghur concerns. At the same time, Ankara and Beijing should lobby together and call for change in a world order which must include a voice representing the Muslim world.
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