Time of establishment of friendly relations: June 2001

Overview:

Istanbul Province is a pivotal region in Turkey, covering an area of 5,220 square kilometers and having a population of 14 million, with Istanbul serving as its capital city. It straddles the continents of Europe and Asia, serving as a crucial transportation hub between the two, and holds a significant strategic position. Istanbul Province is Turkey's largest commercial port, with limited arable land but a developed agriculture sector. It boasts extensive sea, road and railway networks, connecting with major European cities as well as Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa through flights. The province is rich in tourism resources, with the most famous attractions including the Topkapi Palace Museum (Old Palace) and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque). It is home to universities such as Istanbul University, Istanbul Technical University, Bosporus University.

Relations with Guangdong:

Since the establishment of friendly relations between Guangdong and Istanbul Province, they have carried out fruitful exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including high-level visits, trade, agriculture and culture. In May 2018, the then deputy governor of the Istanbul Province led a delegation to visit Guangdong, where they were met by Huang Ningsheng, the then deputy governor of Guangdong. In April 2020, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and in the spirit of friendship and mutual assistance, Guangdong donated a batch of medical masks to Istanbul Province. In December 2021, a tree-planting event marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Turkey was held at Haizhu Wetland Park, co-hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and the Turkish Consulate General in Guangzhou.

Other friendship cities:

Guangzhou–the city of Istanbul.