Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in China, where he will meet with top officials to forge closer economic and political ties.

In Turkey's first prime ministerial visit to China in 27 years, Mr. Erdogan received a red-carpet welcome with anthems and an honor guard in Beijing. He was to meet Monday with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Xi Jinping.

Turkey's Minister of Energy Taner Yildiz says the government will decide during Mr. Erdogan's visit whether China will be invited to build a nuclear power plant on the Black Sea coast. The two sides are set to finalize building talks during the visit.

Before traveling to Beijing, Mr. Erdogan – heading a delegation of 300 businessmen – visited China's far west Xinjiang region Sunday. The restive area is home to China's minority ethnic Uighurs, who are ethnically related to Turks. Turkey wants to establish an industrial zone in Xinjiang.

Mr. Erdogan will conclude his visit in Shanghai.