Separated by thousands of kilometres on the opposite ends of Asia, Turkiye and China don't look like natural energy partners. Both being net importers of oil and gas, the areas where they could cooperate on fossil fuels seem minimal. But when it comes to renewable energy, and the rare earth minerals that power modern industries, the areas for cooperation are starting to show.
That potential was on full display during Turkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar's visit to Beijing. Bayraktar cut a preliminary deal on what officials are dubbing 'energy transition'. One of the most promising areas includes cooperation on nuclear power and renewables. Currently, Turkiye is constructing the Akkuyu Nuclear Plant with the help of Russia. But Ankara has plans to build two more, and a Chinese company, is in the running to build a nuclear plant in Turkiye's Thrace region. Another crucial area the two sides touched on was rare earth minerals. Two years ago, Ankara announced the discovery of the world's second-largest rare earth reserves, second only to China.
Strait Talk, hosted by Ayse Suberker, is TRT World’s programme that features in-depth analysis of Türkiye’s role in the world.
Guests:
Taha Meli Arvas
CEO of Energy Exchange Istanbul
Einar Tangen
Political and Economic Affairs Analyst
