Charles Liu, The Chinese government is warning its citizens traveling in Turkey to be careful after it reported a number of its citizens have been attacked. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a warning on its website asking Chinese tourists to stay away from anti-Beijing protests.
Relations between Turkey and China have been strained recently over the perceived treatment of Uighur people in China’s far western region of Xinjiang, many of whom are Muslim. Reports saying Muslim Uighurs have been banned from worship and fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, something the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims is untrue, have fanned anti-Beijing sentiment. On Thursday, the Chinese embassy issued a statement saying some foreign media reports go against facts and said China protects normal religious activities.
Chinese media reported that Turkey summoned the Chinese ambassador to convey its “concern” over the alleged restrictions, while China denied the allegations and demanded that Turkey clarify its statements.
Turkish daily Hurriyet reported a Chinese restaurant in Istanbul’s Tophane district was attacked by a group of people and had its windows smashed. Chinese media say the restaurant is Turkish-owned.
On Sunday, several hundred protestors marched towards the Chinese consulate, carrying flags and chanting anti-Chinese slogans. They even burned the Chinese flag was burned. Some protesters even attacked South Korean tourists that were mistaken for Chinese outside a scenic spot along the coast of the Bosphorus strait.
Many Turks view the treatment of Muslim Uighurs in China as an important issue, and believe the two sides share a similar cultural and religious background. On Friday, Turkey vowed to keep its doors open to ethnic Uighurs fleeing persecution.
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- Report: Uighur Terror Suspects Using Fake Turkish Passports to Leave China