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)

 

  • In January-May 2023, China was the third-biggest trading partner of Georgia
  • Chinese Ambassador and Armenian High-Tech Industry Minister discussed strengthening scientific and technical cooperation
  • Georgian Ambassador met with the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs
  • SOCAR and China Energy International Group signed a cooperation agreement
  • China’s Qingdao signed city friendship agreements with Armenia’s Yerevan and Azerbaijan’s Ganja

 

The full publication:

News from June 3

SOCAR and China Energy International Group signed a cooperation agreement

A photo from the event. Source: Report

Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and China Energy International Group Co. Ltd signed a cooperation agreement, Report wrote citing the Nakhchivan bureau of Report on June 3.

The agreement provides for the “development of renewable energy projects in the territory of Azerbaijan, the organization of the exchange of experience between the parties, the optimal approach to the implementation of potential projects in technical and financial terms, as well as other issues”.

 

5.6.2023 – 25.6.2023

In January-May 2023, China was the third-biggest trading partner of Georgia

On June 19, Geostat reported that in January-May 2023, China was the third-biggest trading partner of Georgia.

The turnover between the two countries amounted to $623.3 million (7.5% of Georgia’s total).

China was Georgia’s fourth-biggest import partner with $429.9 million (7.3% of total imports). Compared to the same period last year, that was a 2.1% growth.

China was Georgia’s six-biggest trading partner by exports with $193.3 million, comprising 7.7% of total exports. Compared to January-May 2022, that was a 46.7% decrease.

Georgia’s top export item was copper ores and concentrates amounting to 74.3% ($143.7 million) of Georgia’s total exports to China.

 

Georgian Ambassador meets the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs

Li Hui and Archil Kalandia. Source: Global Times

On June 9, the Georgian Independence Day reception was held in Beijing, Global Times reported. The Georgian Ambassador to China Archil Kalandia and the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui met at the event.

Reportedly, Kalandia highlighted the “growing dynamism” of bilateral trade and economic cooperation with China, while Li expressed the importance of deepening “the friendly partnership” with Georgia.

Representatives of Chinese government agencies attended the event.

 

Chinese Ambassador and Armenian High-Tech Industry Minister discussed strengthening scientific and technical cooperation

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

The Chinese Ambassador to Armenia, Fan Yong, welcomed the Minister of High-tech Industry of Armenia, Robert Khachatryan, to the Chinese Embassy, the Ambassador reported.

Reportedly, they exchanged views on the strengthening of scientific and technical cooperation between China and Armenia. The two sides also discussed professional-technical exchange.

 

Azpromo and the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone sign MOU

Azerbaijan participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization International Investment and Trade Fair in Qingdao, China, Azernews reported on June 19. Within the framework of the exhibition, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation was signed between Azerbaijan’s Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Azpromo) and the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone (SCODA).

 

Yerevan and Qingdao sign a sister city agreement

A photo from the event. Source: Mirror Spectator

On June 19, Armenia’s capital Yerevan and the Chinese city of Qingdao signed a sister city agreement, Mirror Spectator reported.

Reportedly, the agreement envisages increased partnerships in trade, science and technology, the humanitarian field, connectivity, and other areas of an urban economy.

Yerevan Acting Mayor Levon Hovhannisyan and Qingdao Mayor Zhao Haozhi discussed partnership between the two cities.

 

The 11th session of the Armenian-Chinese Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Affairs was held in Beijing

A photo from the event. Source: Armradio

On June 7, the 11th session of the Armenian-Chinese Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Affairs was held in Beijing under the co-chairmanship of Armenia’s Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan and China’s Deputy Minister of Trade Ling Ji, Armradio reported.

Reportedly, the issues related to the deepening of trade and economic relations between the two countries were discussed, in particular the trade turnover expansion, investments promotion, interaction in the agriculture, industry, digital economy, tourism and aviation  fields, and interregional cooperation.

The protocol of the session was signed and the main directions of further cooperation were outlined.

Chinese Ambassador to Georgia visited the construction project of the North-South Highway

A photo from the meeting. Source: Chinese Embassy in Georgia

On June 23, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, Zhou Qian, visited the construction project of the North-South Highway, which is being built by the China Railway 23rd Bureau Group.

The Ambassador and the head of the enterprise had a conversation, after which Zhou Qian assessed the progress of the project, “the degree of compliance with safety norms, and gave instructions regarding the difficulties of the project”.

 

Ganja and Qingdao sign a friendship city agreement

The Chinese city of Qingdao signed a friendship city agreement with Ganja, Azerbaijan, Chinese state media China Daily reported on June 15.

 

A book, “History of China”, was published in Georgia with the support of the Embassy of China

The presentation of the book “History of China” was held at the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, Geoecohub reported on June 15. Among others, the representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Georgia attended the event.

Reportedly, “History of China” was published with the support of the Embassy of China.

“…This monumental work offers a thorough analysis of all important events, which allows Georgian readers to delve into the attractive world of Chinese civilization,” the Head of the Association of Sinologists of Georgia Marine Jibladze said.

The group of authors of the book includes: Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Archil Kalandia, Marine Jibladze, Otar Chigladze, David Andguladze, Nana Gelashvili, and Shalva Chikhladze.

 

Chinese Ambassador and Armenian Health Minister discuss the “building of the China-Armenian Medical Community”

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

The Chinese Ambassador to Armenia, Fan Yong, hosted the Minister of Health of Armenia, Anahit Avanesyan, at the Chinese Embassy, the Ambassador reported on June 7.

“We held a friendly exchange of views on deepening practical cooperation in the field of medicine and health between China and Armenia and discussed contributing to the building of the China-Armenian Medical Community,” Fan Yong said.

 

Georgian Education Minister and Lanzhou University President discussed cooperation

A photo from the meeting. Source: The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia

The Minister of Education of Georgia, Giorgi Amilakhvari, hosted a delegation from the Lanzhou University headed by the President of the University, Chun Hua Yan, the Ministry reported on June 20.

The parties discussed expanding the existing cooperation, and prospects of strengthening the partnership with Lanzhou University.

 

Confucius Institutes in Tbilisi held Chinese Language Bridge contests

The 14th “Chinese Language Bridge” student competition was held at the Kakha Bendukidze campus under the joint organization of the Confucius Institute at the Tbilisi Free University and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Tbilisi Free University reported. According to the Kutaisi University’s Confucius Classroom June 19 report, Political Counselor Xu Haizheng of the Chinese Embassy in Georgia attended the event and delivered a speech.

The 16th “Chinese Language Bridge” competition for school students and the 3rd Chinese language bridge competition for elementary school students in Georgia were “successfully held” at the Alte University, the Confucius Institute at Alte University reported on June 16.

Reportedly, to fully understand the “Chinese Bridge” competition, the directors and a teacher from the Confucius Classroom at the Kutaisi University visited the Confucius Institute at theFree University and the Confucius Institute at the Alte University “to observe and learn the whole process of the competition”.