China, Turkey to align development strategy

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang Friday called for the alignment of China's Belt and Road Initiative with Turkey's Middle Corridor plan.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek in Beijing.

The Belt and Road Initiative aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

Wang lauded the stable development of China-Turkey relations, saying China was ready to work with Turkey to implement the important consensus reached by heads of state of both nations.

He said the two countries should respect and accommodate each other's core interests, strengthen cooperation in such areas as major projects, trade, finance, science and technology, as well as tourism, to further deepen China-Turkey strategic cooperation.

Simsek said Turkey highly valued its relations with China.

"Turkey will actively participate in the Belt and Road construction and push forward cooperation with China in the fields of transport and energy, so as to continuously further bilateral relations," he said.