Main opposition CHP’s landmark China trip begins

BEIJING - Hürriyet Daily News

DHA Photo

A week-long visit to China by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) began today as a crowded delegation of CHP deputies, journalists and businessmen chaired by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu arrived in Beijing.

The CHP’s visit comes right after the renewal of the cadres of the Chinese Communist Party, which issued the invitation to Turkey’s social democratic party. Although “the new China” made its first official contact with Turkey during a visit to Beijing by the Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioğlu last month, Kılıçdaroğlu’s trip is equally important in showing the Chinese administration respect to the main opposition party.

Organized by two deputy leaders, Faruk Loğoğlu and Erdoğan Toprak, the visit will last nearly a week with visits to Beijing, Shanghai and Xincan-Urumchi.

As part of official meetings Kılıçdaroğlu will meet with Wang Jiarui, minister of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee’s International Department on Monday. Jiarui will also host Kılıçdaroğlu for lunch. Li Yuanchao, a senior member of the Chinese politburo, will also meet the social democrat leader.
 
As 60 businessmen accompany Kılıçdaroğlu, a Turkish-Chinese business forum will be held in Shanghai to create an opportunity for both sides to come together. The trip will also include visits to some important technology and research centers, such as the Space Research Academy in Beijing.

Kılıçdaroğlu will give several interviews to the Chinese media. His itinerary does also include visits to the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and other touristic spots.

The delegation includes the party’s deputy parliamentary group leader, Muharrem İnce and deputies Aylin Nazlıaka, Durdu Özbolat, Emrehan Halıcı, Kemal Değrimendereli and Mehmet Ali Suma. Ankara bureau chiefs from various newspapers and reporters from multiple news channels are within the delegation as well.