China-Turkey Security Cooperation Under the Background of the ‘Belt and Road’ and the ‘Middle Corridor’ Initiatives

Abstract

This article focuses on the security cooperation between China and Turkey and the impact of the ‘Belt and Road’ and the ‘Middle Corridor’ Initiatives on bilateral cooperation. The ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative and Turkey’s ‘Middle Corridor’ Initiative have promoted economic cooperation and enhanced communication and mutual understanding between the two countries. We examine this cooperation from a security perspective; with deep analysis on security cooperation between China and Turkey published by the governments, academia and social media, the impact of the ‘Belt and Road’ and ‘Middle Corridor’ Initiatives on the growing bilateral relationship has been clearly highlighted. Additionally, this article focuses on the challenges of bilateral security and counter-terrorism cooperation, and the positive impact of security cooperation on Sino-Turkish relations in the wake of the ‘Belt and Road’ and the ‘Middle Corridor’ initiatives. This article shows that economic cooperation has a significant impact on security cooperation and the ‘Belt and Road’ and the ‘Middle Corridor’ Initiatives may build closer ties between the two countries.