China’s Activities in the South Caucasus Issue 124, 30.12.2024 – 26.1.2025

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 172th out of 180 countries).

Armenia-China

Pashinyan notes the strengthening of cooperation between Armenia and the SCO under the Chinese presidency

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent congratulatory messages to the CCP Chairman Xi Jinping and the Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the occasion of the Spring Festival, Arminfo reported on December 29.

In the letter to Xi Jinping, Pashinyan expressed hope for further expansion of the multifaceted cooperation, and in this context, attached importance to “the strengthening of cooperation between Armenia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization under the Chinese presidency”.

In the message to Li Qiang, he also underlined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as part of cooperation at multilateral platforms.

China discusses the possibility of training law enforcement personnel with Armenia’s Investigative Committee Chairman

Chen Min and Artur Poghosyan. Source: The Embassy of China in Armenia

On December 30, the Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Armenia Chen Min met with the new Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Armenia Artur Poghosyan.

“In the future, the Investigative Committee of Armenia can establish close cooperation with the relevant Chinese departments, organize mutual visits of delegations and strengthen cooperation in the investigation of criminal cases and the training of law enforcement personnel, which will better protect the security interests of the two countries,” The Chinese Embassy wrote.

Arthur Poghosyan noted that deepening friendly relations with China was a priority of the foreign policy of the Armenian government and the Investigative Committee of Armenia was ready to “learn more from the Chinese side, borrow leading practices and enrich the content of bilateral cooperation in the law and order field”.

Other

At a Spring Festival reception at the Chinese embassy in Yerevan, the Charge d’ Affairs of China in Armenia Chen Ming said that the China-Armenia relationship continued to develop steadily “while political mutual trust continued to deepen”, Armenpress reported on January 21.

He noted that bilateral trade grew by 38% to $2,6 billion. Reportedly, in 2024 the number of Chinese tourists in Armenia has also grown, surpassing 38,000, which is 60% more compared to 2023.

Azerbaijan-China

Azerbaijan-China cooperation in military education

• A graduation ceremony of the Staff Officer Course of the PLA Army Command College located in Nanjing, China was held, where the two officers of the Azerbaijani Army completed the course and were awarded red diplomas, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan reported on January 22.

Reportedly, the Staff Officer Course was attended by 47 foreign servicemen from 21 countries.

Last year, Azerbaijani Army’s officer Lieutenant Colonel Elkhan Farzaliyev graduated from the Intermediate Command Course of the PLA Army Command College with honors.

• The Foreign Language Center of the Military Administration Institute of the National Defense University (NDU) in Azerbaijan conducted a graduation ceremony for the Chinese Language course, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan reported on December 28.

A photo from the event. Source: The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan

The Rector of the Military Administration Institute Colonel Elnur Alasgarli noted the “successful progress of cooperation” between Azerbaijan and China in the field of military education.

Military Attaché of China to Azerbaijan Colonel Wang Lei also expressed his gratitude to the professors, instructors and officers of the Military Administration Institute for organizing the course. Reportedly, it was noted that by learning the language, Azerbaijani servicemen would have the opportunity to attend specialized courses in China.

The Chinese Language course was launched at the Foreign Language Center of the Military Administration Institute of the National Defense University in October 2024.

In July 2024, Baku hosted a meeting between Azerbaijani and Chinese military education experts.

In 2023, the servicemen of the Azerbaijani Army took part in the International Seminar on the Chinese Path to Modernization held in China.

Middle Corridor

On January 13, Azerbaijan Railways CJSC told Trend that throughout 2024, “a total of 358 block trains were sent along the China-Central Asia-Azerbaijan route, including 146 block trains (15,292 TEU) that facilitated the transportation of transit cargo, while 212 block trains (20,956 TEU) carried imported goods”.

Reportedly, in 2025, there are plans to more than triple the number of block trains sent annually from China to Azerbaijan and Europe, reaching up to 1,000 trains per year.

The Chinese side says that relations with Azerbaijan have reached the highest level in history

On January 22, a reception was held at the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Spring Festival.

The Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan Din Tao said that relations between China and Azerbaijan had reached the highest level in history.

He expressed hope that the Chinese people in Azerbaijan would continue to contribute to the promotion of Chinese modernization and practical cooperation between China and Azerbaijan and “create bright pages in the history of China and China-Azerbaijan friendship”.

Georgia-China

Xi Jinping congratulates Georgian Dream President

The CCP Chairman Xi Jinping recently sent a message to the Georgian Dream President Mikheil Kavelashvili to congratulate him “on his inauguration as president of Georgia”, CGTN reported on January 3. Xi is among the few country leaders who sent such a message to Kavelashvili.

Xi noted that the current China-Georgia strategic partnership “maintained a positive momentum of development”.

“Political mutual trust between the two sides has been continuously consolidated, cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has yielded fruitful results, and international coordination has been fruitful,” said Xi.

Xi Jinping also said that he attached great importance to the development of China-Georgia relations and would like to work with Kavelashvili.

The Chinese side mentions comprehensive deployment of 5G, Georgia’s trust and reliance on China

Zhou Qian addresses the attendees. Source: The Embassy of China in Georgia

At an event it had organized, the Chinese Embassy addressed the overseas Chinese, Chinese-funded institutions representatives, and teachers and students of the Confucius Institutes, the Chinese Embassy reported on January 4.

• Among other messages, the Ambassador said the following: “2024 was a year of numerous significant achievements for the Chinese enterprises in Georgia…Bids were won successively in the fields of wind energy, photovoltaic, and other new energy fields, 5G equipment was comprehensively deployed in Georgia, e-commerce developed rapidly, and the China Communications Construction Group consortium became the only shortlisted bidder for the Anaklia Port tender”.
• Zhou Qian noted that, currently, the China-Georgia relations were “at their best period in history, with Georgia’s trust in China and its reliance on China in various aspects continuously increasing, which has created unprecedented opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in various fields.”

Chinese surveillance cameras in Georgia

On January 14, Civic Idea published a material, “Emerging Concern: Chinese Surveillance Cameras in Georgia,” regarding Georgia’s procurement of surveillance cameras manufactured by Chinese companies over the past five years.

• According to the report authored by Aksana Akhmedova, “the primary purchasers of Chinese surveillance cameras in the Georgian market comprise local self-government bodies, ministries and their subordinate organizations, educational institutions, and other entities”.
• Reportedly, “some are Chinese companies involved in multiple international controversies and reputational issues, including: Zhejiang Dahua Vision Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co.,Ltd 5 Tiandy Technologies Co., Ltd.”.
• The report said that out of the 46 procurements made between 2019 and 2024, 26 instances involved cameras procured by Georgian institutions manufactured by Hikvision.

The first table of the report shows the procurement of Chinese surveillance cameras by government entities:

• According to the report, more than 5 million GEL was allocated to procure Chinese surveillance technology between 2019 and 2024.
• The report noted that in 2024, ahead of the parliamentary elections, the Commission acquired cameras from Xiamen Milesight Technology Co., Ltd., totaling 1,694,368 GEL.

The second table shows the following:

• According to the report, the largest purchaser of Chinese surveillance technology among the ministries and sub-agencies is the Department of Common Courts under the High Council of Justice, which carried out such procurements in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Tiandy Technologies Co., Ltd and Hikvision primarily manufacture the cameras acquired by that department.
• The report also said that in 2024, the Georgian Ministry of Defense had purchased Hikvision recorders.

After a December meeting, Kobakhidze once again meets the Chinese Ambassador in January

On January 10, the Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian.

“The conversation touched upon cooperation in the areas envisaged by the Georgia-China Strategic Partnership Agreement and the positive dynamics of the development of trade and economic ties,” Interpressnews reported.

Reportedly, it was noted that the free trade agreement, visa-free travel and people-to-people ties, represented “a good opportunity” for the further development of bilateral relations. The two sides confirmed their readiness to further strengthen “result-oriented cooperation”.

According to the Chinese Embassy report, Kobakhidze also briefed the ambassador on the current political situation in Georgia.

The last time the two met each other was December 6, when, according to the Georgian Dream “government administration”, the Ambassador congratulated the “ruling party’s victory in parliamentary elections”.

“The conversation touched upon the existing political and cultural relations between the two countries and the further deepening of trade and economic ties. The involvement of Chinese partners in the implementation of the Anaklia Port project was emphasized,” the statement said.

DFRLab publishes publication “Cross-platform campaign in Georgia emphasizes China as an alternative to the United States“

On December 10, Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) researcher Sopo Gelava published a publication entitled “Cross-platform campaign in Georgia emphasizes China as an alternative to the United States”.

“The DFRLab analyzed how Georgian pro-Kremlin and pro-government Facebook pages and Telegram channels promote the government’s pivot to enhancing relations with China. We analyzed twelve Facebook pages and thirty-one Telegram channels to examine portrayals of China in Georgian information spaces. Additionally, we reviewed content from China News, which publishes pro-China content in Georgian on Facebook, Telegram, and TikTok. We found that China is portrayed as an economic and military superpower and is seen as an alternative strategic partner to the United States,” the report said.

• The report said that the DFRLab analyzed China-related content on twelve Facebook pages belonging to Georgian Dream supporting media channels and Georgian Dream-affiliated political parties. In total, these pages published 1,131 posts using the keywords “China” and “Chinese” in Georgian.

Reportedly, most of the China-related posts were published by Georgian Dream supporting media channels followed by the Facebook page of the Georgian Dream affiliated political party “People’s Power”.

According to the report, posting activity peaked three times – in August 2022, July 2023, and May 2024.

“The first peak coincided with Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan on August 2, 2022, with posts mainly promoting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The July 2023 peak aligned with then-Prime Minister Garibashvili’s visit to China and the announcement of a strategic partnership between the two countries. The May 2024 peak occurred when the Chinese-Singaporean company won the Anaklia Deep Sea Port bid,” the report said.

DFRLab found three key narratives promoting the Georgia-China partnership: “First, China was portrayed in contrast to the United States and the West as a superpower that respects Georgia’s sovereignty… Second, China’s status as a United Nations (UN) Security Council member was presented as an asset for mediating Georgia’s territorial issues… Third, the analyzed pages also depicted a partnership with China as part of Georgia’s historical mission as a bridge between the East and the West, with claims that this partnership would boost Georgia’s EU integration…”

The number of China-related posts published on DFRLab-analyzed Facebook pages. Source: DFRLab/Sopo Gelava via Crowdtangle and Flourish

On Telegram, DFRLab reportedly analyzed thirty-one anti-West and Georgian Dream supporting channels “run by far-right actors, pro-government media, and government-affiliated political parties…”

The report found that twenty-two of the thirty-one channels posted China-related content, of which 3,489 were posts and 359 were forwards: “The channels that posted the most about China are BeqaNews (1,515 posts), worldpolitikal (994), and altinfonews (491). Most posts about China were made in late July to early August 2022 and mid-May to early June 2024”.

• The DFRLab also conducted further research on China News, which has a Facebook page, Telegram channel, and TikTok account.

“Across its three social media platforms, China News predominately promoted statements from Chinese leaders and portrayed China as a superpower opposing the West,” the report concluded.

Georgia-China Regional Cooperation Association presentation held in Tbilisi

On January 31, the presentation of the Georgia-China Regional Cooperation (GCRC) Association was held in Tbilisi. The event aimed to deepen cooperation and establish new partnerships between Georgian and Chinese business organizations, Business Insider reported.

Reportedly, representative offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shandong Province provide “prompt consultations and close communication, significantly simplifying business relations and promoting international cooperation”.

It was noted that a foundation had already been established for cooperation between the association and its partner financial institutions, Basisbank and BB Leasing.

“Our mission is to help Georgian and Chinese businesses find each other, build valuable partnerships, and implement new projects…” the founding member of the Association David Chikovani noted.

Other

• The President of the Georgian Chamber of Culture Dato Okitashvili wrote on Facebook that the Chinese side was ready to sign a memorandum with the Georgian Chamber of Culture.

“The agreement includes exchange programs, cultural and infrastructure projects. It is planned to build a multifunctional concert and sports hall for 3,000 people in Georgia,” he wrote on January 9.

• On January 21, the Georgian Ambassador to China Paata Kalandadze met with the General Manager of China International Cooperation Association of SME and King MICE Co., Ltd Edward Shang.

Reportedly, Edward Shang represented the interests of Chinese state-owned construction companies, namely China International Engineering Construction, China State Construction and Shandong Housing Construction Technology and the possibilities of sharing new technologies introduced by these companies in the construction sector with the Georgian side were discussed. The parties agreed to continue communication, the Georgian Embassy in China reported.