While Türkiye exported USD 3.3 billion to China and imported USD 50 billion, resulting in a USD 46.3 billion trade deficit with China, Jak Eskinazi, Coordinator President of the Aegean Exporters’ Association, emphasized that the closer China is as an importer, the closer it is as an export market as well. He noted that great effort has been invested in recent years to increase exports to China.
Eskinazi highlighted that 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of official diplomatic relations between Türkiye and China, stating: “Both countries see this milestone as an opportunity to elevate their relations to a new level. For this reason, in the fairs we plan to organize this year, we are starting preparations much earlier and aiming to showcase our country’s products with participation from a larger number of Turkish companies, building on the experience we have gained over the years.”
21% of Exports to China Bear the Aegean exporters associations' Signature
Eskinazi shared that Aegean exporters associations' share of Türkiye’s exports to China has increased from 9% to 16% over the past three years. “We have made a strong start to 2026 in exports to China. In the January–February period of 2026, Türkiye’s exports to China increased by 29%, from USD 438 million to USD 563 million, while Aegean exporters associations' exports to China grew by 64%, from USD 70 million to USD 115 million. In other words, USD 21 out of every USD 100 of Türkiye’s exports to China carry the Aegean exporters associations' signature. We are steadily progressing toward our USD 1 billion export target to China. To achieve this, we are organizing three National Participation programs in China,” he said.
Urumqi in June, Shanghai in November
Eskinazi reported that Türkiye organized its National Participation at the Xiamen Stone Fair 2026, held in Xiamen, China, from March 16–19, with 30 participating Turkish companies.
“Later this year, we will organize National Participation programs at two more fairs in China. The first fair will take place from June 25–29, 2026, at the ‘2026 China Eurasia Expo’ in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. This fair, jointly organized by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Government, will host Türkiye’s National Participation for the second time in 2026. The fair, now in its ninth year, covers a wide range of sectors including information technology, chemicals, textiles, logistics, and food.”
Eskinazi added: “Our National Participation in Urumqi, China’s gateway to the West, has significantly contributed to our goal of establishing sustainable, long-term, and trust-based business partnerships. The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which has developed rapidly in recent years and become a logistics hub, occupies a strategic position for Turkish products entering China. Through this fair, we aim to introduce the reliability, quality, and competitiveness of Turkish products to the Urumqi market.”
He continued: “Supporting Türkiye’s export targets and increasing regional cooperation and trade diversity, our Association will continue to enhance the visibility of Turkish industry, agriculture, and service sectors in international markets. Members interested in participating in the National Participation program should contact us at sanayi1@eib.org.tr by April 24, 2026.”
The final fair where the Aegean exporters associations' will organize Türkiye’s National Participation in China will be the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, held from November 5–10, 2026. Eskinazi emphasized that the CIIE is strongly supported by the Chinese government.
Highlighting that China is not only a strong exporter but also a major importer, Eskinazi added: “In 2025, China exported 3.77 trillion dollars and imported USD 2.6 trillion. Türkiye has the potential to further increase its exports to China. At CIIE 2025, 4,108 companies from 150 countries and over 460,000 professional visitors participated. The CIIE 2025 featured halls dedicated to Services, Automobiles, Smart Industry and IT, Consumer Products, Medical Equipment and Healthcare Products, and Food & Agricultural Products.”
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