Turkish parliament speaker meets Chinese PM in Beijing

By Fuat Kabakci

BEIJING (AA) - Turkey’s Parliament Speaker Binali Yildirim met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday as part of his official visit to China.

Meeting with Li at the state guest house in Beijing, Yildirim underlined the importance of the geographical situation of Turkey and China, which are located on the historic Silk Road.

“We see China as a strategic [and] friendly country,” Yildirim said.

Hailing the cooperation between the two countries, the Chinese premier, for his part, said: “China is ready to deepen the cooperation with Turkey based on mutual respect and benefits.”

“We are also ready to have a contact with Turkey in every field and at every level,” he added.

On Monday, Yildirim had also met with Li Zhanshu, the chairman of China’s Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.