Author: Medea Ivaniadze

 

The digest covers China’s political, diplomatic, economic, and other activities in the South Caucasus region and relations between China and the South Caucasus countries. It relies on a wide variety of sources, including the Chinese media. It is worth noting that the Chinese media is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (according to the World Press Freedom Index China is nearly at the bottom of the list and ranks 179th out of 180 countries).

  • Garibashvili says Georgia-China governmental level cooperation is “booming”, the Chinese Ambassador states that relations are at a “historic peak”
  • Aliyev expresses confidence that Azerbaijan-China relations will be elevated to the level of strategic partnership
  • The Chinese Embassy writes that Armenia is ready to adopt the successful experience of China in state administration
  • Chinese Ambassador announced the upcoming China-Azerbaijan meeting “with a view to fully implement the important consensus” reached by Xi Jinping and Aliyev
  • ​​Chinese city Yiwy launched a freight train service to Georgia’s Poti Port
  • Azerbaijan and China discussed expanding the flight network, training pilots, and information and communication technologies development

 

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Garibashvili says Georgia-China governmental level cooperation is “booming”, the Chinese Ambassador states that relations are at a “historic peak”

A photo from the event. Source: The Government of Georgia

On the occasion of the 74th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, an event was held in Tbilisi, the Embassy of China in Georgia reported on September 27.

The Chinese side reported that more than 600 guests attended the event, among them the First Deputy Chairman of the Parliament, Gia Volski, the Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Economy, Justice and Infrastructure, chairs of various committees of the Parliament and representatives of Chinese companies in Georgia, Confucius Institutes, and organization Geocase, as well as media, representatives of the diplomatic corps and Chinese living in Georgia.

The Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, Zhou Qian addressed the attendees by saying that the year 2023 bears historic significance in the history of China-Georgia relations. He said that two months ago the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili had paid “a historic visit” to China.

“At present, China-Georgia relations are at their historic peak,” the Ambassador said.

“While realizing its own development, China has been constantly providing China’s wisdom and China’s ideas for the future of humanity and relentlessly building a community of shared future. Today, China just released a white paper titled ‘A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Proposals and Actions’, which illustrates the concrete actions China takes to build a community of shared future for mankind. Among all the efforts, promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the three Initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping are of the utmost importance,” he said in his speech, in which he also promoted the Xi Jinping-proposed global initiatives.

He claimed that under the guidance of the Global Security Initiative, China “has actively engaged in mediation diplomacy, pushed for the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and made unremitting efforts for the political settlement of hotspot issues including the Ukraine crisis”. Zhou Qian said that China stood ready to work with Georgia to jointly implement the GSI and promote “the noble cause of peace and development for mankind”.

He also expressed his firm belief that both China and Georgia would carry out more cooperation during the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative and “make a joint contribution to building a community of shared future for mankind”.

“I believe that with strategic partnership as a new starting point, China and Georgia will continue to strengthen the strategic synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Middle Corridor, deepen cooperation in trade, infrastructure, new energy, tourism, education, culture, etc… boosting common development, rejuvenation and greater success for the two ancient civilizations along the ancient Silk Road for the new era,” Zhou Qian added.

Irakli Garibashvili also addressed the attendees and said that China’s “astonishing civilization, abundant in traditions and symbolism, has garnered global admiration for its profound depth”.

He said that their cooperation at the governmental level was “booming”, with various ministries, agencies, and regions actively engaged in collaborative efforts. Garibashvili noted that this multifaceted cooperation “undoubtedly demonstrated” their dedication to achieving common goals.

“I firmly believe that our vision for shared prosperity and sustainable development will yield tangible and mutually beneficial results,” Garibashvili said.

 

The Chinese Embassy writes that Armenia is ready to adopt the successful experience of China in state administration

A photo from the meeting. Source: The Embassy of China to Armenia

On September 28, the President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan visited the Chinese Embassy in Armenia. The President congratulated the Chinese side on the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and had a conversation with the Ambassador of China to Armenia Fan Yong.

Khachaturyan said that China’s development achievements had attracted the attention of the whole world and were worthy of admiration. The Embassy of China wrote that Armenia was “ready to adopt the successful experience of China in state administration, and expand bilateral cooperation in various areas…”

The Embassy wrote that with the active assistance of Khachaturyan, mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in various areas was continuously achieving new success. It also said that China was ready to cooperate with Armenia to promote the new development of traditional friendship.

 

Aliyev expresses confidence that Azerbaijan-China relations will be elevated to the level of strategic partnership

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to the CCP Chairman Xi Jinping on the Day of the Establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Azernews reported on September 30.

“Under your resolute and wise leadership, your country’s achievements and successes in every field have placed it among the most powerful and advanced nations and solidified further its position in the international arena,” Aliyev wrote.

Aliyev expressed confidence that the two sides would continue successfully their “joint efforts in further developing comprehensive Azerbaijan-China relations”, deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and “elevating them to the level of strategic partnership”.

He said that expanding cooperation with China, “a close friend and a reliable partner”, was one of Azerbaijan’s top foreign policy priorities. Aliyev wrote that their bilateral relations had a broad agenda.

Azerbaijani President said that Chinese companies had long operated “successfully” in Azerbaijan and played “an essential role” in developing interstate relations.

He said that the Azerbaijani side was looking forward to advancing this cooperation “across the liberated territories”.

“Azerbaijan has always unequivocally supported the One China policy and China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he wrote, adding that in the meantime, they highly appreciated the support extended by China to their territorial integrity and sovereignty.

 

Azerbaijan and China discussed expanding the flight network, training pilots, and information and communication technologies development

During his visit to China, the Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev met with the Chinese Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng, Report wrote on September 28.

They discussed the possibilities of expanding the flight network between the two countries, potential cooperation in rail and road transport, combined cargo transport, and public transport.

According to Nabiyev, he met with the head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Song Zhiyong, responsible for the country’s aviation policy. Reportedly, they talked about the development of cooperation between the two countries. Nabiyev also said that the two sides discussed the training of pilots.

The Azerbaijani delegation led by the Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev met with China’s Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Zhang Yunming in China, Azertac reported on September 29.

They focused on the development of cooperation in the information and communication technologies sphere and digital development. They also exchanged views on the establishment of science-intensive production facilities by Chinese companies in Azerbaijan, cooperation with China’s leading universities, technology parks, incubation and acceleration centers, and the organization of joint exchange and training programs.

 

​​Chinese city Yiwy launched a freight train service to Georgia’s Poti Port

On September 28, Chinese state-controlled Xinhua news agency reported that the Chinese city of Yiwu, a small-commodity production and wholesale hub in east China’s Zhejiang Province, launched a freight train service to Georgia’s Poti Port.

Reportedly, a train fully loaded with used cars, clothing, and other things departed from Yiwu on the new route. It was set to exit the country via Horgos Port in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and was expected to arrive in Poti in 20 to 25 days.

 

Armenian Government representatives attend an event to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the PRC

A photo from the event. Source: The Embassy of China to Armenia

On September 27, to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, a reception was held at the Chinese Embassy in Armenia.

The Ambassador of China to Armenia Fan Yong and about 300 people including the Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia Hakob Arshakyan, the Minister of Economy of Armenia Vahan Kerobyan, representatives of the government, political parties, Confucius Institute and others attended the event.

In his speech the Ambassador said that in 74 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it had achieved “significant successes”. He also expressed the readiness of the Chinese side to work with Armenia, “taking advantage of the 10th anniversary of the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and “the implementation of three global initiatives” as an opportunity “to write a new chapter in friendly cooperation between two countries”.

 

Chinese Ambassador announced the upcoming China-Azerbaijan meeting “with a view to fully implement the important consensus” reached by Xi Jinping and Aliyev

A photo from the event. Source: The Embassy of China to Azerbaijan

On September 28, the Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Guo Min organized a reception to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Reportedly, approximately 600 people attended the event, including Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev, guests from the Presidential Office, National Assembly, various political parties, the Cabinet and government departments, as well as representatives of Chinese-funded institutions.

The Ambassador said that the two countries had become close friends and partners “with a shared destiny”, and were determined to continue the efforts to deepen their relationship.

The Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan wrote that China expressed its willingness to collaborate with the government of Azerbaijan and “friendly people from all walks of life” to bring the China-Azerbaijan relations to a higher level. It also said that China aimed to “create a community of a shared future for China and Azerbaijan in this new era”.

Guo Min said that Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev would soon visit China and chair the ninth meeting of the China-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, “with a view to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and promote the rapid development of pragmatic China–Azerbaijan cooperation in various fields”. She added that with their joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, more than 10 China-Europe freight train lines were passing through Azerbaijan.

 

Chinese companies discuss the creation of enterprises for the production of electric buses in Azerbaijan

A photo from the meeting. Source: Azernews

The Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev announced that Chinese companies had discussed the creation of enterprises for the production of electric buses in Azerbaijan, Azernews reported on September 28.

“During a visit to China, we met with the leadership of leading transport companies Yutong and Zhongtong. We discussed the use of electric buses within the framework of projects implemented in the direction of mobility in Baku, as well as the creation of production facilities in our country by the respective companies,” he said.

 

Adjara and Sichuan express readiness for further deepening of relations

A photo from the meeting. Source: The Adjara government

The Chairman of Georgia’s Adjara government met with members of the government delegation of the Sichuan region of China. The delegation was led by the Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Sichuan Region, Li Hui, the Adjara government reported on October 2.

Reportedly, the readiness for further deepening of relations between Adjara and Sichuan regions was expressed.

Rizhvadze briefed the delegation about the tourist potential of Adjara, the business opportunities, and the key transit importance of Adjara.

 

Azertac elected a member of the Presidium of the Belt and Road Economic Information Partnership

A photo from the meeting. Source: Azertac

The Azerbaijan State News Agency, Azertac, was elected as a member of the Presidium of the Belt and Road Economic Information Partnership (BREIP) platform, at the BREIP`s meeting in Shanghai, China, Azertac reported on September 27.

The Chairman of the Board of AZERTAC, Vugar Aliyev, attended the event.

The President of Chinese state media Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua noted that the platform had become “a valuable source of information, where economic news from all over the world are gathered and broadcast over the years”.

Reportedly, this platform was created in 2019 on the initiative of Xinhua and unites media outlets and think tanks from many countries around the world. Azertac is one of the founding members of this platform.

 

Chinese Film Administration and Georgia’s Culture Ministry discussed cooperation

Source: 1TV/Screenshot

Within the framework of the Chinese film festival in Tbilisi, the delegation of the Chinese Film Administration met with the representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Georgia, 1TV reported on September 25.

Reportedly, they discussed the relationship between the two sides and the deepening of cooperation in film. The parties also discussed the possibilities of creating joint products, the holding of the Georgian film festival in China from next year, and the strengthening of cooperation between Georgian and Chinese film archives. The Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian also attended the meeting.

 

Kutaisi University’s Confucius class to teach Chinese to “the Georgian-American School Progress” students, staff

A photo from the meeting. Source: Interpressnews

A memorandum of cooperation was signed between Kutaisi University and “the Georgian-American School Progress”, Interpressnews reported on September 29.

According to the report, based on the memorandum, the Confucius class will teach the Chinese language to school students and staff.