by Burak Akinci
ANKARA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Interest in Chinese language and literature has been growing among the Turkish public, mirroring China's economic and technological development, said an Ankara-based Turkish sinologist.
Giray Fidan, head of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Haci Bayram Veli University, told Xinhua in a recent interview that there has been a surge of interest in Chinese language programs in Türkiye, which reflects both pragmatic considerations and genuine cultural engagement.
"In the last 40 years, China's economic development has found a practical response in students' lives," said Fidan, also a prolific translator of classical and contemporary Chinese works.
"As far as I can see, this is also related to job opportunities, because there is great potential," he explained, adding that for many Turkish students, China's expanding global economic footprint has turned Chinese language skills into a strategic asset.
The interest in learning Chinese is not limited to Türkiye, he noted. "Today, China is the first or second trading partner of many countries."
While China's economic success has amplified attention, Fidan said he believes the intrinsic richness of its literary heritage stands on its own.
"Chinese literature stands on its own as one of the great literatures of humanity. And people in Türkiye are becoming more interested," he said, noting that literature plays a central role in building lasting cultural bridges.
"Personally, my goal is to ensure that this great culture and literature can reach the Turkish public," he said.
As a translator, Fidan has been introducing Chinese authors and their works to Turkish readers. His recent translations, including September's Fable by Zhang Wei, reflect different stages of China's modern literary evolution.
"This is extremely important for me. These translations need to be done in order to increase mutual understanding," Fidan said.
He noted that China's dramatic social transformation over recent decades is clearly visible in its literature.
"The works of modern Chinese literature from 40 years ago and those of today are very different, because we are talking about two completely different social structures," he noted.
"In fact, even the China of 20 years ago, or 10 years ago, is very different from today's China. It is developing very rapidly," he added.
Fidan said contemporary Chinese fiction provides valuable insight into urbanization, social mobility and changing lifestyles, themes that resonate with readers in Türkiye.
Also, China's rapid technological advances have fueled more public curiosity and in turn triggered cultural interest, Fidan said.
He noted that in recent years, several computer games rooted in Chinese cultural themes have gained global popularity, blending traditional motifs with cutting-edge digital technology. Such developments, Fidan said, help younger generations engage with Chinese culture in new and accessible ways.
"China is one of the world leaders in artificial intelligence and robotics. This attracts the attention of new generations," Fidan noted.
As China continues to shape global economic and technological trends, there is an opportunity for Turkish readers to look beyond statistics and discover the human stories behind the transformation, he added. ■