China's Xi condemns FETO coup bid ahead of G20 summit

By Ilhan Toprak

HANGZHOU, China

Chinese President Xi Jinping condemned the July 15 defeated coup in Turkey in a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday, according to Turkish presidential sources.

Sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restriction on speaking to the media, said Xi also expressed his solidarity with the Turkish government during talks ahead of the G20 summit in eastern China.

The two leaders also underlined the importance of cooperation in combatting terrorism, with Xi expressing China’s support for Turkey in its fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Group (FETO), which is accused of fomenting the July 15 failed coup that left 240 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Erdogan and Xi also discussed the G20 agenda, according to the sources, and the Chinese leader said he was pleased to welcome his Turkish counterpart in Hangzhou after the highly successful Antalya G20 summit that Turkey hosted last year.

Erdogan and Xi reportedly also agreed to increase relations in terms of bilateral trade, transportation, energy and tourism.

The two leaders presided over a meeting that saw delegations from both countries sign three agreements covering nuclear security, energy and agricultural health certification.

China is Turkey’s third trade partner worldwide after Germany and Russia, and its first trade partner in the Far East, according to Ankara's Foreign Ministry.

Erdogan arrived in the coastal city of Hangzhou on Saturday for the 2016 G20 summit, set to be held Sunday through Monday.

On the sidelines of the gathering, he is expected to hold meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and United States President Barack Obama.