Xi in Turkey talks amid protests

The man slated to become China's next leader, Xi Jinping, was in Turkey on Tuesday for talks with President Abdullah Gul.

The visit marks the rise of Turkish clout on the international stage and recognition of the country's role in maintaining stability in the Middle East.

"In today's complex and changing international situation, the enrichment of the strategic cooperation between China and Turkey is to the benefit of both countries, now and in the long term," Xi told the Turkey Sabah newspaper in an interview.

"A member of the G20 with a growing economy and an important country in the Middle East, Turkey has for a long time tried to bring stability and development to the region and played an active role in trying to solve 'hot' issues," Xi said, citing Afghanistan and the Iranian nuclear dispute among others.

But Xi's arrival has already been marked by protests by dozens of ethnic Uighurs, who desecrated a poster of the senior official and set fire to two Chinese flags. The demonstrators were venting anger over Beijing's treatment of Uighur populations in China. Turkey is also home to a large Uighur community.

On Wednesday, Xi is to attend a business forum in Istanbul, where he is likely to be assailed by exporters eager to bridge a wide trade gap between the countries.

China sells some $21.6 billion worth of goods to Turkey, whilst Turkey sends only $2.5 billion worth to its Asian partner.

Xi is wrapping up a world tour that saw him meet with US President Barack Obama in Washington and most recently travel to Ireland.

dfm/jw (AP, Reuters)