Chinese and Turkish scholars gathered at a political forum in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Monday to discuss their economic ties, cooperation in the Middle East and coordination within the Group of 20 (G20).

Wang Zhongwei (2nd R), deputy director of China's State Council Information Office, Chinese Middle East envoy Wu Sike (1st L), Fatih Ceylan (2nd L), deputy undersecretariat of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, attend a political forum, a part of a large-scale cultural event termed "Experience China in Turkey", in Ankara, Turkey, Oct. 18, 2010. [Zheng Jinfa/Xinhua]

Wang Zhongwei, deputy director of China's State Council Information Office which sponsors the forum, said China and Turkey, both G20 members and emerging economies, share interests in such major issues as reforming international financial system and tackling climate change.

"We should further coordinate and cooperate in those issues. That's in the interests of the two countries' people and benefits regional and world peace and stability," Wang said in an opening speech.

Fatih Ceylan, deputy undersecretariat of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, said China and Turkey hold similar views on many regional and international issues and have great potential for better cooperation.

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Turkey has worked together with China very well in issues related to Afghanistan, the Palestinians and Iran, he said.

Zhang Yuyan, a scholar with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, suggested China and Turkey uphold the principle of " common but differentiated responsibility" on climate change and strive to increase the representation and voice of developing countries in international institutions.

Kamer Kasim, vice president of Turkey's International Strategic Research Organization, said it's good for both China and Turkey to increase cooperation in security, energy, tourism and other areas.

The forum was a part of a large-scale cultural event termed " Experience China in Turkey", which was held in Ankara and the Turkish city of Istanbul.

The event, starting on Sunday and to last till the end of the month, covers nine major activities, including Chinese-Turkish political and economic forums, Chinese movie and television weeks, Chinese cuisine festival and exchanges between journalists and writers.