Turks tune in to life in China via online TV

With the steady improvement of bilateral ties, there has been an expanding audience for Chinese films and dramas in Turkey.

Ergin Seven, a university student from the capital Ankara, says he likes to watch Chinese dramas through streaming sites.

"In the past, it was difficult to find Chinese productions online, but since a couple of years ago, they are on most streaming sites, both paid and free ones, and there are plenty to choose from," he says.

Seven says he is attracted to Chinese and Asian cultures in general and takes online Chinese classes "in order to be able to understand the movies without English subtitles".

The student says through the films and dramas, his knowledge about Chinese culture has expanded.

"I especially like fantasy and sci-fi movies made by China where this industry is thriving. My girlfriend often watches the movies with me," he adds.

Some Turkish news outlets and cinema magazines regularly publish interviews with industry specialists about Chinese movies and dramas and offer advice on which productions to watch.

Chinese films are also presented to viewers in Turkey through international arts festivals that take place in several cities, including the Istanbul Film Festival, Turkey's most prestigious.

"There is indeed a growing interest in Chinese TV programs, dramas and films, especially among the youth who mostly turn to the internet to watch them online," says Mustafa Karsli, head of a Chinese cultural association in Istanbul.

"Video platforms such as Youku have become quite popular with the younger generation of Turks," Karsli says.

"China has become a strong player on the international film industry stage."

Karsli says this interest toward Asia, and particularly China, in Turkey is the result of flourishing bilateral ties in recent years.

"Each year more university students want to continue their education in China, so they want to acclimate themselves to this culture by following Chinese movies and dramas," he adds.

Muberra Batuhan, a Chinese language teacher based in Ankara, says she recommends that her students watch Chinese programs.

"Subtitled films or programs made in China are an excellent tool to learn the language, and my students also get to understand the lifestyle of Chinese people," she says.

"Some of my students who are in high school watch these programs regularly and we discuss them in the classroom," she adds, mentioning a romantic comedy TV series A Love So Beautiful.

Mynet, one of Turkey's leading internet platforms, praises Chinese TV offerings, noting that "once you start to watch the good productions, you get hooked", adding on its website that Chinese TV series "are the gateway to Chinese culture".