SIMIC

The two country's trade volume was $24 billion in 2020, and despite the pandemic, the countries have increased their commercial ties.

Chinese Internet giant Alibaba also invested $350 million in Turkish e-commerce firm Trendyol in a capital increase.

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) made it easier to export to China by freight trains. A railway from Istanbul has been in operation since the end of 2020.

The cargo transportation time between Turkey and China decreased to 12 days from one month, slashing costs.

"I believe that over time this alternative to maritime transportation will gain momentum," said Fevzi Gandur Logistic director-general Hasan Stafak.

"In the coming period, China is bound to be a global production hub," said Mr Stafak.

Asia-Pacific studies expert Selcuk Colakoglu declared that the BRI project will change the economic landscape in the region and beyond.

"Turkey is participating in this initiative with the Middle Corridor project. And in the past several months, we have seen a boost of trade towards and from China," said Mr Colakoglu.

"This has to be hailed as it aims to narrow Turkey's trade deficit," he said.