Turkish FM stresses Uyghur minority ties during landmark China visit

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s recent visit to China, notably including a tour of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, has sparked significant discussion regarding its implications for Uyghur-Türkiye relations.

Fidan’s symbolic gestures during his trip, such as sporting a turquoise tie and referring to Urumqi and Kashgar as “ancient Turkish-Islamic cities,” were viewed by some as a positive reaffirmation of Türkiye’s cultural and historical ties with the Uyghur community. These gestures aimed to underscore the shared heritage between Türkiye and the Uyghurs, emphasizing a sense of solidarity.

Speaking to the London-based news site Middle East Eye, two diplomatic sources highlighted that Türkiye emphasized the importance of the Uyghur issue to China. ‘We conveyed to the Chinese side that ethnic, religious, and cultural ties with the Uyghur minority are highly important to Türkiye,’ one official stated.

However, the absence of a strong public condemnation of China’s alleged human rights abuses against the Uyghur minority has generated disappointment and concern among Uyghur groups and segments of the Türkiye population. Despite Türkiye’s emphasis on the importance of Uyghur rights during diplomatic discussions with Chinese officials, the lack of explicit criticism during Fidan’s visit has left some feeling betrayed or abandoned.

This dichotomy between symbolic gestures of solidarity and the diplomatic pragmatism of engaging with China without overtly challenging its policies toward the Uyghurs underscores the complexities of Uyghur-Türkiye relations. Fidan’s visit has reignited debates within Türkiye about the country’s role in advocating for Uyghur rights on the international stage and the balancing act between diplomatic interests and ethical considerations.