On the afternoon of June 25, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Turkish President Abdullah Gul at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides agreed to stay firmly rooted in the present while looking ahead to the future and make concerted efforts to push China-Turkey friendly relations of cooperation in the new century to a higher level.

Hailing the long history of friendship between the Chinese and Turkish peoples, Hu said bilateral relations had made considerable achievements since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1971. Hu said recent years had witnessed frequent high-level exchanges, increased mutual political trust, continuously enhanced cooperation in economy, trade and other sectors and close coordination and collaboration in international and multilateral affairs. China appreciated Turkey's adherence to the one-China policy and its support to China on the issues of Taiwan and Tibet, the president noted.

Gul said Turkey-China relations enjoy a time-honored history and the Turkish people have always held profound feelings towards the Chinese people. Hailing the sound, smooth development of bilateral ties, he said Turkey and China are both countries with ancient civilizations and to develop their ties is conducive to development and progress of mankind. Turkey attached great importance to Turkish-Sino relations and spoke highly of China's enormous achievements in its social and economic development and the significant role China played in international affairs. Turkey is ready to advance bilateral ties based on mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Gul also reiterated Turkey's adherence to the one-China policy.

Hu said it is a set policy of the Chinese government to develop closer partnership with Turkey based on mutual respect, mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit, as well as common development. China is ready to work with Turkey to this end in the following five aspects.

First, inherit the traditional friendship and deepen political ties. The leaders of the two countries should maintain frequent exchanges and the two governments and their relevant agencies should strengthen communication and coordination, earnestly implement the consensus and agreements already reached and offer mutual understanding and support to each other on major issues concerning their core interests. Their legislatures and parties should continue to conduct multi-level exchanges, so as to promote understanding and friendship. Second, expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation and achieve common development. China is ready to work with Turkey in taking joint measures to maintain stable trade growth, actively push forward two-way investment, tap cooperation potential and expand cooperation area. He urged both sides to further explore new patterns of cooperation, build new platforms and strive to foster new growth points. Third, enhance security cooperation and combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism. Both sides should improve relevant ideologue mechanisms and take more effective measures to guard and fight against the "three evil forces" and transnational organized crimes, in a bid to safeguard peace and stability of the two countries and the region as a whole. Fourth, promote humanities exchanges and expand friendly contacts. China is ready to intensify exchanges and cooperation with Turkey in the fields of culture, education, tourism, mass media, public health and sports to further cement the social basis of China-Turkey friendship. Fifth, maintain multilateral cooperation to promote world harmony. China supports Turkey to play a greater role in international and regional affairs. China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Turkey on the Middle East issue and combating pirates in the waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, said Hu, noting that China also hoped to support and cooperate with Turkey in sustainable development and jointly dealing with the global challenges. Both countries should work with the rest of the international community to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity.

Echoing Hu's views on developing bilateral ties, Gul said Turkey was willing to strengthen political relations with China and boost cooperation in all areas. There was great potential for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, said Gul, stressing that Turkey seeks to further strengthen trade exchanges with China and expects more Chinese enterprises to make investments there. Turkey is ready to intensify cooperation with China on finance, tourism, culture, infrastructure and science and technology, said Gul. The two countries share identical or similar views on international issues, he said, expressing the hope that Turkey could enhance coordination with China in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations. Gul said Turkey firmly opposes terrorism and will not allow any terrorist organization to operate within its territory. Turkey is ready to further cement cooperation with China on counter-terrorism.

After the meeting, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony of relevant cooperation documents.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcoming ceremony for President Gul at the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress Zhou Tienong, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Lin Wenyi, Vice-Chairman of Central Committee of China Zhi Gong Party Wang Qinmin, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya and Chinese Ambassador to Turkey Gong Xiaosheng attended the welcoming ceremony.