STORY: China's Consulate-General in Istanbul facilitates visa application procedures
DATELINE: Sept. 8, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:25
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Istanbul city in Türkiye
2. various of Promotional meeting to facilitate China visa application procedures in Istanbul, Türkiye
3. various of Wei Xiaodong, China's consul general in Istanbul
4. various of Davut Gunaydin, vice president of the Turkish Travel Agencies Association
5. various of Promotional meeting to facilitate China visa application procedures in Istanbul, Türkiye

STORYLINE:

The Consulate-General of China in Istanbul has taken concrete steps to facilitate visa application procedures, China's consul general in Istanbul Wei Xiaodong said on Thursday.

Among the measures, the Chinese Visa Application Service Center has increased daily visa appointment quotas and extended the daily appointment hours, he said during a meeting with representatives from Turkish travel agencies and other associations.

"China attaches great importance to facilitating the mutual traveling of the Chinese and Turkish people," said the Chinese envoy, adding the new measures have taken into account the Turkish people's demand.

From January to August, the number of all types of visas issued by the consulate exceeds 12,000, which is "ten times the total number of visas in 2022. Now, visa applications have reached the pre-pandemic levels," he noted.

Wei said China's Belt and Road Initiative, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, has led to the positive development of Turkish and Chinese strategic cooperation.

Davut Gunaydin, vice president of the Turkish Travel Agencies Association, said the new measures would promote tourism activities between the two countries.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)