People attend the opening ceremony of the Turkish Consulate General in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday. Photo: Courtesy of Turkish Embassy in Beijing

The opening ceremony of the Turkish Consulate General was held in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday, with the presence of Turkish Ambassador to China Ismail Musa, Director-General Wu Xi of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, Vice Governor of Sichuan Yang Xingping and Consul General of Turkey in Chengdu Tukoman.

Musa said, "I am very pleased to be here to inaugurate the new Turkish Consulate General in Chengdu. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and China in 1971, our relations have steadily strengthened. The two countries announced strategic cooperation in 2010. China is currently Turkey's third-largest trading partner in the world."

Musa added that Turkey has established substantial commercial ties with Sichuan. As of 2022, trade volume was $1.1 billion, representing nearly 3 percent of the country's total trade with China. The year of 2022 is also growing at a rapid rate of 35 percent year-on-year.

The Turkish Consulate General in Chengdu is the fifth official representation of Turkey in China, in addition to the Embassy in Beijing and other consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

"In this vast region, we see great opportunities and good prospects for developing win-win cooperating. The hope is to restore the ancient ties between the two peoples dating back to the Silk Road," Musa said.

Before the opening ceremony began, the ambassador introduced Turkey's rich tourism and cultural resources to the guests.