In an article published in China’s People’s Daily, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his country’s strong stance on Gaza, calling for an independent Palestinian state and a new, more just international system. His remarks, made ahead of a key meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, also emphasized Türkiye’s role as a global mediator and its growing ties with China.
A Clear Stance on Gaza 🇹🇷
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has used a major Chinese newspaper as a platform to articulate Türkiye’s foreign policy on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In his article, he declared that “Türkiye’s stance on Gaza is clear,” based on the principles of human rights and humanity. He described Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “massacre and occupation,” which he cited as a prime example of the international system’s failure to protect innocent people and respond to crises of “unprecedented scale.”
Erdogan’s message is twofold: a firm condemnation of Israel’s actions and a call for a permanent solution. He stressed that lasting peace requires a fully independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Türkiye has been a vocal critic of Israel, with its foreign minister recently announcing that the country has completely cut off trade and closed its airspace to Israeli planes.
The Role of a Global Mediator
Beyond the crisis in Gaza, Erdogan’s article outlined Türkiye’s broader foreign policy vision, which he described as being founded on building trust and keeping communication channels open. He highlighted Türkiye’s past successes in “peace diplomacy,” citing its key role in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was crucial for global food security, as well as its mediation efforts in the Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul and Antalya. These examples are meant to reinforce Türkiye’s image as a responsible global player capable of addressing complex geopolitical issues.
Erdogan’s participation in the 25th Heads of State Council meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin is a crucial part of this diplomatic push.8 As a Dialogue Partner, Türkiye will use this platform to advocate for a more inclusive and equitable global order.9 This move reflects Türkiye’s strategy of diversifying its alliances and influence beyond its traditional Western partners.
Strengthening Ties with China 🇨🇳
The publication of the article in China’s People’s Daily is no coincidence. Erdogan’s visit to the SCO summit and his hope to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping underscore the importance of Türkiye’s relationship with China. He praised the long-standing ties between the two “ancient civilizations” and expressed a desire to further strengthen their cooperation based on a “win-win approach.” He highlighted the shared belief that uniting the international community, with China in a “leading role,” is the path toward a more prosperous and fairer world.
This strategic alignment with China, a major player in the SCO, signals Türkiye’s commitment to expanding its influence in Eurasian politics and economics. By advocating for a new global order and positioning itself as a key mediator, Türkiye under Erdogan is actively shaping its role on the world stage, moving from a regional power to a significant global actor.
