The 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Türkiye, along with the 2026 Chinese New Year, was celebrated in İzmir. The Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Dr. Cemil Tugay stated that İzmir, with its ports, logistics infrastructure, and strong industrial base, is an important meeting point in Türkiye–China economic relations. He emphasized that the city aims to establish strong partnerships with China in the fields of climate action, green transformation, digital urbanism, and urban resilience.
The 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Türkiye, together with the 2026 Chinese New Year, was marked by a special event held at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center. The evening, themed “55 Years of Diplomatic Friendship: Türkiye and China – İzmir Meeting,” was attended by the Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Türkiye H.E. Jiang Xuebin, Vice President of the Sichuan Overseas Chinese Federation Huang Hao, President of the İzmir Chinese Solidarity Association Yağız Vang, Consul General of Romania Lilian Zamfiroiu,  Consul General of Kazakhstan Bauyrzhan Akatayev, Deputy Secretary General of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Prof. Dr. Pınar Okyay, as well as bureaucrats, Chinese guests, and residents of İzmir.
 
Tugay: We Are Here to Strengthen Friendships
Dr. Cemil Tugay emphasized the strong relations between the People’s Republic of China and Türkiye, stating: “We are here for friendship, peace, and to strengthen the bonds between our peoples. We are the children of the Republic of Türkiye, founded by a leader who said, ‘Peace at home, peace in the world.’” Tugay noted that the trade volume between Türkiye and China has exceeded 48 billion dollars, highlighting the significant potential of economic relations between the two countries. However, he stressed that this relationship should evolve into a more balanced structure based on higher added value and greater mutual benefit. Referring to İzmir’s cultural ties with its three sister cities in China, Tugay conveyed his best wishes to friends in Wuhan, Xiamen, and Tianjin, and announced that Chengdu will join the list of sister cities this year. He expressed his belief that cultural ties will be further strengthened and made more permanent through expanded economic cooperation.
 
“İzmir: A Key Hub in Türkiye–China Economic Relations”
Mayor Tugay stated that İzmir, with its ports, logistics infrastructure, and strong industrial base, serves as a significant meeting point in Türkiye–China economic relations. He noted: “Kaishan Group’s 1 billion-dollar investment in İzmir is a valuable indicator of this potential. This facility represents a strategic step that will create employment, facilitate technology transfer, and position Türkiye as a strong production center.”
Highlighting İzmir’s long-standing tradition in trade fairs, Tugay added: “As İzmir, we prioritize high value-added production, technology-oriented investments, and long-term cooperation.” Referring to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, he emphasized that İzmir’s strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean offers new opportunities for collaboration in areas such as sustainable transportation, clean energy, and smart cities.

Tugay’s Invitation to China for IEF and EXPO 2027
Mayor Tugay underlined that they value not only trade volume but also sustainable and balanced economic relations, stating: “I believe we will establish stronger partnerships with our Chinese friends in areas such as combating the climate crisis, advancing green transformation, promoting digital urbanism, and enhancing urban resilience.”
He also noted that, according to the Chinese zodiac calendar, the Year of the Horse has begun, adding: “The horse symbolizes strength, determination, and progress. In İzmir, we say, ‘Hard work suits us.’” Tugay expressed his pleasure in welcoming Chinese protocol members and guests to fairs organized by İZFAŞ and stated: “I hope the new year will further strengthen economic cooperation between our two countries, increase investments, and deepen our friendship. I hereby invite you to the 95th İzmir International Fair in September and to Expo 2027 İzmir.” He concluded his remarks with the Chinese phrase “Mǎ nián kuàilè,” meaning “Happy Year of the Horse.”

Xuebin: Our Cooperation Is Expanding in Every Field
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Türkiye, Jiang Xuebin, stated in his speech: “We hope that through the impressive performances of our artists, our friends will experience the charm of Chinese culture. Our friendly relations are steadily developing. Our cooperation is expanding in every field, particularly in cultural and humanitarian exchanges. Together with Türkiye, we are ready to enhance mutual trust and contribute to the prosperity of both peoples.”

Hao: We Are Opening a New Chapter in Our Friendship
Huang Hao, Vice President of the Sichuan Overseas Chinese Federation, thanked the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality for its support and said: “Over the past 55 years, mutual contact and cooperation have steadily strengthened. Today in İzmir, by using art as a bridge, we are opening a new chapter in our friendship. I wish happiness and prosperity to our friends in China in the new year.”

Vang: I Have Closely Witnessed the Growth of Our Friendship
Yağız Vang, President of the İzmir Chinese Solidarity Association, said: “This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Türkiye. This friendship, spanning more than half a century, has fostered cooperation in every field. I have lived in İzmir for 28 years, and during this time I have closely witnessed the growth of cultural interaction and mutual friendship.”

The Evening Concluded with the Song “Hayat Bayram Olsa”
Following the speeches, the program began with the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Band performing “Welcome to China.” The evening featured a zeybek dance performance, Hamdi Akatay’s darbuka recital, the “Dao Ma Dan” act from Chinese opera, the song “Beautiful Jasmine Flower,” a traditional tea ceremony demonstration, a water-sleeve dance accompanied by pipa, a stage magic performance, the grand puppet show “Book Art,” the short play “How Beautiful Is Humanity,” and the Sichuan Opera mask-changing performance.
The night concluded with the audience joining together to sing the Turkish classic “Hayat Bayram Olsa” (“If Life Were a Festival”).

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