Turkish scholar: How Chinese is opening new doors for Türkiye's youth

At the 2025 World Chinese Language Conference, CGTN's Merna Al Nasser spoke with Buket Çetinbaş Eryılmaz, director of the Confucius Institute at Istanbul Okan University in Türkiye. Eryılmaz explains why Chinese is becoming one of the most in-demand skills among Turkish youth.

She notes that, with few Turkish speakers fluent in Chinese, graduates proficient in the language have a clear advantage in the job market, with many companies actively recruiting them or encouraging them to pursue careers in China. 

Eryılmaz also discusses an increasing trend: more Turkish students are choosing to pursue master's degrees in China, to return to Türkiye as cultural and economic bridges between the two countries. She emphasizes how exposure to Chinese language, culture, and new technologies—especially AI-driven educational tools showcased at the conference—can transform language learning and open new opportunities for cooperation.

As someone who has translated numerous Chinese learning materials into Turkish, she hopes to continue developing more resources. Her long-term goal is to help more Turkish students access high-quality Chinese education.