Selçuk Ünal, Ambassador of Türkiye to China, gives opening remarks at the celebration in Beijing on April 23, 2026. Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in China

The Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in China hosted a celebration on the occasion of April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day in Beijing on Thursday. Selçuk Ünal, Ambassador of Türkiye to China, said he hopes that April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day will bring peace and happiness to all the children in the world.

On April 23, 1920, the Turkish parliament was founded and the day was dedicated to children seen as the nation's future by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic.

On April 23, 1920, the Turkish parliament was founded and the day was dedicated to children seen as the nation's future by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic.

In his remarks, Ünal said that April 23, 1920 was the day on which the foundation of a democratic state was laid and the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye - the symbol of the national sovereignty - was established.

"The opening of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on April 23, 1920 constituted a historic step that determined our future during the War of Independence launched under the leadership of Atatürk, and served as a significant turning point in securing national sovereignty,'' he said. 

"Today, we collectively experience the honor and pride of celebrating the 106th anniversary of the opening of our Veteran Assembly, where the national will is represented," said Ünal, stressing commemoration to the Turkish ancestors who fought for the founding of Türkiye, foremost among them the Commander-in-Chief of the War of Independence and the Founder of the Republic Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and his comrades-in-arms. "Thanks to them, the future generations of our country will continue to hold such celebrations of freedom for centuries to come," said Ünal. 

The fact that the day on which the Grand Assembly was opened was gifted to the children by Atatürk as a holiday stands as the most concrete manifestation of the value Atatürk and Türkiye place upon children, and of the trust they repose in them, he elaborated. 

Quoting Atatürk, the ambassador said, "Little ladies, little gentlemen! You are all the stars of the future and the beacons of our destiny. It is you who will truly bathe this country in light. Recognizing just how important and valuable you are, you must work accordingly. We expect a great deal from you."

At the initiative of our country, 1979 was declared the International Year of the Child by the United Nations. In this regard, it marks a first, Ünal said. On behalf of the embassy, the ambassador said, "We, too, are delighted today to share the significance and importance of this day with our Chinese friends."

"Since that date, this meaningful holiday of ours has been celebrated with enthusiasm every April 23 - both in Türkiye and at our diplomatic missions abroad - together with children from all corners of the world, on the foundations of peace, brotherhood, love, and tolerance," he added, stressing commemoration to the Turkish ancestors who fought for the founding of Türkiye, foremost among them the Commander-in-Chief of the War of Independence and the Founder of our Republic Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and his comrades-in-arms. "Thanks to them, the future generations of our country will continue to hold such celebrations of freedom for centuries to come," said Ünal. 

On behalf of the embassy, the ambassador said, "We, too, are delighted today to share the significance and importance of this day with our Chinese friends."

At the celebration, both Turkish and Chinese children recited poems and performed music.