On the afternoon of October 30, the third China-Turkey Economic and Trade Forum hosted by Confucius Institute of Okan University in Turkey was successfully held at Okan University. The theme of this forum is the investment cooperation between China and Turkey in “the belt and road”.

Mr. Bekir Okan, Chairman of Okan Group, and Mr. Mustafa Kocak, President of Okan University, took the stage to deliver speeches respectively, describing the current running situation of Okan University and the current situation of trade and educational and cultural exchanges between China and Turkey. At the same time, it is expected to increase the number of Turkish merchandise exports and the number of Chinese tourists to Turkey in order to boost Turkey’s demand for economic growth. Okan University has established a cooperation and exchange program with Beijing Language and Culture University. Each year, students go to other universities for one-year exchange and study. In addition, Chinese students also come to Okan University to study Turkish. Okan University welcomes more Chinese students to study in their university. The also look forward to higher-level and intensive cultural and educational exchanges with China to promote deeper understanding between the two sides.

Zhong Hongnuo, Deputy Consul General of China in Istanbul, said in his opening speech that trade between China and Turkey is increasingly close and mutual investment is constantly increasing. This has laid a good foundation for economic development and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Zhong Hongnuo pointed out that Huawei, a Chinese company, has invested more than 220 million US dollars in Turkey, accounting for 87 percent of the company’s Turkish employees. This investment has created a large number of jobs for Turks.