"Discussed potential of economic cooperation w/ FM Wang Yi of #China on 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. -Will enhance our cooperation on fight against pandemic and vaccine. Conveyed our sensitivity and thoughts on Uyghur Turks," the Turkish Minister tweeted.

The meeting took place between the two leaders at a time when hundreds of Uighurs in Turkey protested against the treatment of their ethnic kins in China.

About 1,000 protesters gathered in Istanbul, chanting “Dictator China” and “Stop Uighur genocide, close the camps”, reports Al JAzeera.

Some waved blue-and-white flags of the independence movement of East Turkestan, the name by which the movement refers to Xinjiang, reported the news channel.

“We are here to ask about our families. Why can’t we get in touch with our families? Are they dead or alive? Where are they? Are they at camps or outside?” Imam Hasan Ozturk, a Uighur protester, told Al Jazeera.