Although the China-Turkey Gastronomy Festival, hosted by China’s Ambassador to Ankara, Jiang Xuebin, held at the Ankara HiltonSA, produced vibrant scenes, it drew criticism from the Ankara local press when journalists were barred from the event because they were not invited.
However, the opening remarks on the first day of the event highlighted the deep-rooted historical ties and rich cultural heritage between the two countries, emphasizing that culinary culture is a significant part of this heritage. The exclusion of Ankara’s local press from the event, and the fact that members of the local press, with the exception of a few elite journalists who were invited, would not be able to cover the event, caused astonishment among journalists.
On the second day of the festival, which took place on November 6-7, 2025, journalists arriving hours in advance were informed that the event would begin at 6:30 PM and end at 9:00 PM. However, no information was provided that only invited journalists would be allowed to attend. Members of the local press who arrived at the event area on the Ankara HiltonSA Upper Lounge floor at the specified time were denied entry, as they were not invited.
LOCAL PRESS WAS NOT ALLOWED INTO THE ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION
On September 25, 2025, the 76th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China was celebrated with a reception held at the CSO Ada in Ankara. Similarly, uninvited members of the local press were not allowed in.
It is clear that bilateral relations would progress to a more successful level if the People’s Republic of China, which strives to build bridges of friendship between the two countries through frequent social and cultural events, established a more constructive dialogue with the local press through the Press Attaché of the Embassy in Ankara, rather than building a barrier between the two countries. (source:ankaranethaber.com)
