Scandal Over Mention of Mount Ararat: Turkey Requests Official Explanation from China

Turkey is demanding an official explanation from Chinese authorities concerning inscriptions on humanitarian aid boxes sent to Armenia. In the context of combating the coronavirus pandemic, China delivered a large quantity of medical supplies to Armenia, and the inscriptions on those boxes read: "May our friendship be higher than Mount Ararat and longer than the Yangtze River." The mention of Mount Ararat, referred to by Turkey as Ağrı Mountain, is the source of Ankara's outrage.

According to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency, the country's diplomatic department has approached the Chinese ambassador to Ankara and the Chinese Foreign Ministry, requesting clarification regarding the inscription on the boxes.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the ambassador explained that the aid sent to Armenia was prepared by the government and sent via a private company. Initially, the boxes contained only Chinese inscriptions, and the English wording was added later. The ambassador indicated that China respects Turkey's sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that an internal investigation has been launched, the results of which will be reported to Turkish authorities.