Beijing’s Charm Offensive in Turkey After BYD Investment Collapse and Uyghur Tensions

Beijing has sharply intensified its public-relations campaign in Turkey after the suspension of a high-profile investment by Chinese electric-vehicle maker BYD damaged China’s standing in the country.

In June, BYD announced it was freezing plans to build a factory in Turkey, choosing instead to prioritise expansion in Europe. The decision caused political embarrassment in Ankara. Turkish authorities had already granted generous tax incentives on BYD vehicles even before construction began. Those incentives, combined with BYD’s new commercial strategy, helped the company sell more than 45,000 vehicles in Turkey in 2025.

Analysts estimate the firm reaped an extra $500 million to $1 billion in profits thanks to the preferential treatment.

According to sources cited by Middle East Eye, the failed deal left a mark on China’s image. In response, Beijing launched a broad charm offensive.

A Turkish government adviser complained that Chinese negotiators often reopen deals with new demands even after agreements appear finalised. As part of its image-repair effort, the Chinese embassy in Ankara has been placing articles in pro-government Turkish media that highlight cooperation between the Chinese Communist Party and the ruling AKP, while also promoting the fifth volume of Xi Jinping’s book The Governance of China.

Analyst Nurettin Akçay argues that the BYD setback further strained China’s reputation. He notes, however, that Beijing has long practised “elite diplomacy,” regularly inviting Turkish journalists, academics and opinion-makers on organised trips to China.

Relations between Ankara and Beijing remain complicated, primarily because of the Uyghur issue. Although Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Xinjiang in 2024 in a bid to ease tensions, major Chinese investments announced by BYD and Chery have still not materialised.

Akçay says his own public criticism of Chinese policies has drawn pushback, including from Shanghai University, where he completed his doctorate. He believes he may no longer be allowed to enter China.

In July, the state-backed Turkey-China Friendship Foundation organised an eight-day trip for Turkish journalists to Xinjiang. Most of the resulting coverage focused on economic development, investment and counter-terrorism, while omitting international allegations about the treatment of Uyghurs.

Human Rights Watch and other organisations maintain that Chinese authorities continue forced assimilation policies against Uyghurs and Tibetans, with hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs still arbitrarily detained and no accountability for alleged rights abuses.

Akçay argues that China is trying to mute domestic Turkish criticism of the Uyghur issue by expanding contacts not only with the government but also with opposition parties. The strategy, he says, does not fully reshape public opinion, but it helps prevent the emergence of a strong anti-China movement in Turkey.

READ MORE: Former Greek defence chief Floros: “Anyone who sets foot on Greek soil will first be burned.”

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