ANKARA, Aug. 1 -- During Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Beijing earlier this week, he agreed with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinpingthat they would seek to promote bilateral strategic cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

Many analysts regards Erdogan's first visit to China as president a success, and believe that his trip will help bring the two nations even closer in many different aspects, such as fighting terrorism, expanding economic cooperation, and defending the interests of the developing world.

PROMISE TO FIGHT TERROR ACTS AGAINST CHINA

During the meeting with Erdogan, the Chinese leader urged the two nations to strengthen their mutual trust as China and Turkey are facing mounting challenges and growing common responsibilities in an increasingly tougher global fight against terrorism.

Erdogan promised that his government is firmly against any kind of activity that could harm China's sovereignty and territorial integrity inside Turkey.

The Turkish leader also reiterated that his country will continue to follow the one-China policy, oppose all terror attacks against China by the so-called East Turkistan Islamic Movement, and is ready to work with China on this particular front.

Ankara will not allow its strategic cooperation with China to be jeopardized by anyone, said Erdogan, adding that it will forcefully clamp down on all kinds of terror groups, and would love to have the back of the international community.

Meanwhile, Mr. Erdogan also seeks to further grow his nation's strategic cooperative ties with China. Before he left for Beijing, Erdogan said Turkey wants to speed up the two nations' cooperation on a number of key projects.

M. Noyan Rona, Turkey's China expert, told Xinhua that the two leaders' talks have been very productive and fruitful, and have met the expectations, which will facilitate their cooperation, common development and prosperity.

Zhang Tao, charge d'affaires of China's embassy in Turkey, told Xinhua that it is believed that Erdogan's successful visit will help promote a sound and steadfast development of the China-Turkey relations.

DENOUNCE ANTI-CHINESE VIOLENCE

In fact, Erdogan's visit has been foreshadowed by a series of violent demonstrations and attacks against Chinese that took place in a number of Turkish cities only recently.

During some of these protests, a Chinese restaurant was vandalized, while a group of Korean tourists mistaken for Chinese citizens were attacked in Istanbul.

To clarify where the government stands, both Erdogan and his Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu spoke against the anti-Chinese violence, saying these acts were deliberately provoked, which aims to damage Turkey's image.

While addressing a fast-breaking dinner attended by foreign ambassadors earlier last month, the Turkish leader also said that his country does not want to see more of such provocative attacks as these against Chinese tourists.

Prime Minister Davutoglu later warned the Turkish nationals should be careful about reacting to such provocative incidents, saying that his government will protect the safety and security of foreign tourists, and is not going to tolerate such attacks.

According to some of Turkey's media experts, a number of Turkey's opposition parties are behind recent anti-China protests, adding that they were trying to make troubles for Erdogan's then forthcoming China trip.

BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE

In his remarks at the China-Turkey Economic and Trade on Thursday, President Xi said China and Turkey sits at the starting and ending points of the ancient Silk Road, and have made important contributions to the inter- civilizations exchanges.

He hoped that the two sides can work even harder to promote their cooperation in high-speed railways and new sources of energy, as well as aerospace, finance and investment.

Mr. Erdogan responded by saying that his country supports, and is willing to play an active role in China's "Belt and Road" initiative, and the Silk Road Foundation, adding that Ankara welcomes more investment from China, and would work to build a more favorable environment for that to happen.

Yavuz Onay, chairman of the Turkish-Chinese Business Council, told Xinhua in a recent interview that the trade ties between the two countries, which have seen a rather fast development in recent years, still bears huge potential.

He said China's belt and road initiative is of great strategic significance, and Turkey's response is both quick and active.

The China-sponsored railway project between capital Ankara and the nation's economic hub Istanbul has reflected quite positively among the Turkish nationals, he said, adding that the Turkish government also plans to invite Chinese companies to join the nation's unfinished railroad project that plans to link its East and West.

M. Noyan Rona also said China's belt and road initiative, once implemented, will help boost Turkey's railway investment, and also presents an unprecedented opportunity to the economic development of the countries and regions along the Silk Road.