The Kemankeş (Archer) Turkish Archery Exhibition, a project implemented by the Archers' Foundation with a view to demonstrating the historical development of the Turkish archery, has been opened up in Beijing, the second largest city in China, following the exhibitions in Okmeydanı, Malazgirt, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Belgrade.

The exhibition will be open to visitors at the Olympic Park for a period of 10 days between October 26 and November 4. Its official opening was performed by Member of the Board of Trustees of the Archers' Foundation Bilal Erdoğan, Head of the Archers' Foundation and the Chief Adviser to President of Turkey Haydar Ali Yıldız, Turkey's Ambassador to Beijing Abdulkadir Emin Önen, World Archery President Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener, People's Republic of China Archery Federation President Liang Chun and Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş on October 29.

During the ceremony, Turkey's Ambassador to Beijing Abdulkadir Emin Önen delivered a keynote speech, expressing his satisfaction for an event of archery, an art as old as the history of Turks, being held in Beijing on the 95th anniversary of establishment of the Republic of Turkey. 

Ambassador Önen draw attention to the significance of the cooperation in the field of archery between the two ancient civilizations of the historic Silk Road, i.e., the Turks, who were famed with their skills in archery, and the Chinese, who have international reputation in archery.

"With the joint will and vision of our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President of China Mr. Xi Jinping, the relations between Turkey and China are swiftly being strengthened in every area. Human relations constitute a major pillar of the bilateral relations between Turkey and Chine, and cultural and sporting events serve to bring our nations closer. Our President of Yunus Emre Institute, Mr. Şeref Ateş, is here with us. We plan to open up Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center in Beijing next year," he said.

The ambassador also touched on the Year of Turkish Tourism event in China and invited Chinese people to attend the closing concert to be held at the National Performing Arts Center in Beijing on October 29, 2018 with the participation of the Culture and Tourism Minister of the Republic of Turkey.

People's Republic of China Archery Federation President Liang Chun indicated that he believed that the Sino-Turkish ties would be promoted further. "From now on, we will take the cooperation between Turkey and China one step further in all sport branches, especially in archery," he said.

Head of the Archers' Foundation and Chief Adviser to President of Turkey Haydar Ali Yıldız pointed out that they were pleased to organize the event as part of the strategic cooperation between the two countries. "An archery competition will be held here. It will be a sportsmanlike contest. I hope it will be conducive to friendship between the two countries. We have the economic cooperation in place. And we will continue to promote cultural cooperation," he said.

World Archery President Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener underlined the significance of the fact that the friendship between China and Turkey is underway particularly in the field of longstanding sport of archery. "I believe that the exhibition that has been opened as a result of our cooperation with China thanks to our close ties will further boost our friendship," he said.

Member of the Board of Trustees of the Archers' Foundation Bilal Erdoğan noted that the event organized to promote Turkish archery in Beijing was made possible thanks to support from the Chinese Embassy in Ankara. Pointing out that cultural affinity is what makes the relations among countries stronger, Erdoğan said: "We consolidate the affinity that started with the Silk Road. Chinese people should know that our ties are not distant due the distance between us, but warm due to historical proximity."

The exhibition was opened with the ribbon cutting ceremony. The visitors will be able to see unique pieces of Turkish archery including the 17th century interim period wrist guards with zighir, and the Ottoman precision scales used to weight arrows in the exhibition. The exhibition, curated by Mehmet Lütfi Şen, is about the Turkish archery in the Ottoman and Seljuk era, and will be open until November 4.

Following the opening, the participants had a chance to practice their skills for shooting arrows in the practice field, and Chinese and Turkish archers competed in a friendly match.

The Kemankeş Project continues to promote Turkish archery as an essential element of the Turkish culture around the world and plays an important role in the development of cultural relations between Turkey and China.