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

Promoting CCP‘s concepts

  • On July 18, a press conference was held at the Chinese Embassy in Armenia, at which Chargé d’Affaires Chen Min made an address where he highlighted “the spirit of the third plenary of the 20th party congress”, the concept of “building a community with a common future for mankind”, “the five principles of peaceful coexistence”, and the results of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
  • At a reception held at the Chinese Embassy in Armenia to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the creation of the People’s Liberation Army of China, China’s Chargé d’affaires Chen Min focused on “the spirit of the Third Plenum of the 20th party congress”, emphasizing that China was seeking to help create “a community of a common future for mankind based on long-term peace and comprehensive security”.

China-Armenia defense sector cooperation

On July 30, a reception was held at the Chinese Embassy in Armenia to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the creation of the People’s Liberation Army of China. The First Deputy Minister of Defence of Armenia Edward Asryan and other Armenian officials as well as over 200 guests attended the event.

“China is ready to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with Armenia in all fields, including the security sector, and to elevate bilateral relations to a new level,” China’s Chargé d’affaires Chen Min noted according to Armenia’s First Channel.

The Embassy also wrote that “the military relations between Armenia and China are an important part of bilateral relations and the two sides conduct useful exchanges in areas such as mutual delegation visits, professional exchanges and personnel training”.

According to Armenia’s First Channel report, Edward Asryan stated that China was one of Armenia’s most important international partners and that developing friendly bilateral cooperation further was a priority of Armenia’s foreign policy.

“Addressing the development of military cooperation between our countries, I can confidently say that China’s five principles of peaceful coexistence and the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity align fully with Armenia’s interests,” said the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, adding that he was sure that the foundation of Armenia-China relations held “significant untapped potential”, and they would continue to advance bilateral cooperation, both in the defense sector and in other areas, based on these concepts, decisions, and perspectives.

Chinese technology in Armenia

 

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

On July 3, the Chinese Ambassador to Armenia Fan Yong visited Huawei Technologies Armenia, the Chinese Embassy reported on July 16. Reportedly, the Ambassador and his delegation held discussions with the company management about the activities of Huawei in Armenia.

The Embassy wrote that the potential for cooperation between Chinese and Armenian companies in the fields of information technology, digital economics, and the construction of smart cities was huge.

Another meeting

On July 1, the former President of Armenia, the Chairman of the Republican Party, Serzh Sargsyan visited the Chinese Embassy in Armenia to congratulate the Chinese side on the Chinese Communist Party’s 103rd anniversary, the Chinese Embassy reported on July 16.

Reportedly, he noted that under the leadership of the CCP, the Chinese people had “achieved outstanding success in various fields, which is admirable”. He also expressed readiness to make the most of his influence to strengthen inter-party contacts and enrich the content of cooperation between the two countries.

Azerbaijan-China

The Chinese side discusses military relations with Azerbaijan, military personnel’s education in China

  • “China proposes to develop the Belt and Road Initiative to ensure global security, stability, and progress”, the military Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan Wang Lei said at the reception celebrating the 97th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, the Report wrote on July 31. He said China and Azerbaijan were “sincere and reliable friends and partners”.

A photo from the event. Source: Report

Reportedly, according to him, military relations had also developed smoothly under the leadership of the heads of state and highest-ranking commanders of both countries, in addition to the relations that had become closer through regional and international cooperation: “This not only serves the core interests of both countries but also contributes to global and regional peace”.

  • The National Defense University of Azerbaijan hosted a meeting with the delegation from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences, Report wrote on July 23.

Reportedly, the current situation and progress of cooperation in military education between Azerbaijan and China was discussed. “The sides highly appreciated successful participation of military personnel of the Azerbaijani Army in the courses organized in China. The importance of holding such meetings for the purpose of development of mutual relations and exchange of experience was emphasized,” the Report wrote.

The guests also visited the Foreign Language Center of the Military Administration Institute and the possibilities of applying modern technologies in the teaching process and the issues of teaching Chinese language for servicemen of the Azerbaijani Army were discussed.

A photo from the meeting. Source: Report

 

China promotes the Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance  in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Culture Minister Adil Karimli received the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China Li Chun, who was on a visit to Azerbaijan at the invitation of the Ministry, Azernews reported on July 31.

Reportedly, Karimli noted that “the broad and promising cooperation between the two countries is based on mutual interest and trust, thanks to the political will of their leaders”.

Li Chun provided information about the Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (ACHA), saying it was implementing 15 programs in various areas. Li noted “the importance of the representation of the Azerbaijani side in the specialized structures of ACHA”, and proposed that Azerbaijan hosts the IV conference of the alliance, pointing out that the project related to the study of underwater heritage in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea could be implemented by ACHA. Karimli said that Azerbaijan was interested in further developing ties in various fields of the cultural sphere.

The relevant draft memorandums were submitted by China to the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry. Li Chun said that it would be good to sign memorandums in Beijing next year that would contribute to the development of cooperation between the countries.

The Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance an organization initiated by China, was established in April 2023.

Chinese citizens can now visit Azerbaijan three times in one year without a visa

From July 20, 2024, to July 20, 2025, Chinese citizens can visit Azerbaijan three times in one year without a visa, Azernews reported on July 16. Chinese citizens can stay in Azerbaijan for up to 30 days per visit.

Azerbaijan unilaterally applied a visa-free regime for one year for Chinese citizens as part of the China-Azerbaijan strategic partnership agreement.

Azerbaijan increases smartphone import from China

During the first five months of 2024, Azerbaijan imported 525,966 smartphones and 76% originated from China, with an import value of $107.3 million, Azernews reported. “This marks an increase from the 69% share Chinese smartphones held in the Azerbaijani market during the same period in 2023,” report said.

Education cooperation

Twenty students from the Baku Higher Oil School of SOCAR (BHOS) participated in the summer school at China University of Petroleum (CUP) and the students’ expenses were covered by CUP, Azertac reported on July 24.

Georgia-China

Chinese Ambassador and Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Georgia discuss the prospects of future cooperation

Zhou Qian and Giorgi Kalandarishvili. Source: The Chinese Embassy in Georgia

On July 18th, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian met with the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Georgia Giorgi Kalandarishvili.

Interpressnews reported that the main topic of the meeting was the coming Georgian parliamentary elections. Interpressnews report noted that the parties had also discussed the importance of conducting elections per international standards and the activities carried out by the election administration in this direction.

“The participants of the meeting discussed the challenges and needs facing the institution. At the end of the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects of future cooperation,” the report said.

The Ambassador said the parliamentary election at the end of this year is “a major event in Georgia’s domestic agenda”, adding that as a strategic partner, “China is pleased to see an election that is held in accordance with the laws of Georgia”, the Chinese Embassy reported. Kalandarishvili reportedly introduced the structure of the CEC, the pre-election voter education, and the application of electronic voting technologies.

The Chinese Embassy claims NED instigated protests in Georgia

On August 9, the Chinese Embassy in Georgia published a material entitled “​The National Endowment for Democracy: What It Is and What It Does”. In a subchapter entitled “Inciting division and confrontation to undermine the stability of other countries”, the Embassy claimed that “NED funded the establishment of three local NGO groupings in Georgia at the beginning of the 21st century to organize demonstrations in capital Tbilisi. In May 2024, NED rallied support for and instigated protests in Georgia against the foreign agents bill.”

 

The Chinese side expresses interest in participating in the Vaziani airport project

In a July 18 interview with the 1TV’s Buinesspartner, on a question of whether the Chinese side would be interested in the new airport project in Vaziani, the Chinese Ambassador Zhou Qian answered: “Of course, China’s industrialization is at a level that many countries are interested in cooperating with it. As I mentioned, the favorable geographical location of Georgia attracted the attention of many Chinese companies. If there is an opportunity, we hope that the new cooperation between the two parties will be made on this project”.

He said that China wanted to strengthen cooperation with Georgia in railways, ports, highways, and other areas, and to actively participate in the renewal and improvement of the urban infrastructure of Georgia. He also noted that there were many opportunities for cooperation between China and Georgia in areas such as cross-border trade, e-commerce, logistics, and transportation, the creation of energy and digital hubs, alternative energy and second-hand vehicles, and others.

“We welcome and support more Chinese companies coming to Georgia, investing and sharing more Chinese experience with Georgia,” he noted. The Ambassador added: “The Chinese side is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with the countries along the BRI, including Georgia, as well as with the European Union, and promote compatibility between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Middle Corridor”.

There is a military airfield in Vaziani. In June, the Asian Development Bank issued a tender for creating a general development plan for the new Tbilisi International Airport.

On August 6, 2023, during China’s state media CGTN’s interview with then Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, he said that Tbilisi wanted to start construction of a new airport facility and noted that “companies, even Chinese companies”, and aviation companies could have terminals and other opportunities.

Ivanishvili thanks the Chinese government “which has expressed special support to Georgia“

On July 16, while the Honorary Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili was speaking at the opening of the new central office of Georgian Dream, he mentioned relations with China, Interpressnews reported.

“Historically, Georgia connected West and East, Europe and Asia. We are doing our best to outline Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor project. I would like to thank the Chinese government, which has expressed special support to Georgia. This is the result for which the Georgian Dream team and I personally have been creating the foundation for years,” he noted, and continued: “I would like to emphasize here that the deepening of our cooperation with China is not an alternative to cooperation with the United States of America and the European Union. On the contrary, it is a complementary factor for common cooperation, which should be deepened in the coming years. In order for Georgia to develop its own connecting trade-economic function, it is necessary to cooperate with both sides of trade-economic relations – the West and the East. I am sure that next year, this effort of the Georgian government will be appreciated in the West as well”.

Georgian President criticizes China’s involvement in the Anaklia port project, saying that law prohibits such tenders with a state company of another country

On August 5, Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili expressed her opposition to the idea of building walls against China, but criticized China’s involvement in the Anaklia’s port project. She also stated that the law prohibits such tenders with a state company of another country.

“The whole world trades with China, which is one of the largest countries economically and politically. So, to say that Georgia should behave differently and build some walls would be stupid. I don’t support that,” she said, adding: “Anaklia is the other issue, which is very important because today Russia has a plan for the port of Ochamchire, let’s imagine how these two ports will be in relation to each other?”

According to the Interpressnews report, Zourabichvili said the following: “This company is sanctioned, no Western investor can enter it. So, it’s us, the state budget, and the Chinese company, which is undesirable and everyone knows what China’s policy of granting loans to small countries and returning these loans is. It can be quite dangerous because sometimes they ask for loans in exchange for strategic resources or land, etc. This issue requires caution, it needs study, and what is missing most of all – is transparency. Google it, Chinese contracts are the most non-transparent contracts because they contain clauses that prohibit the government from releasing the full text of the contract to the public. Perhaps you don’t know and I don’t know what we are signing and this is what I consider undesirable, otherwise, we should have and we have relations with China, I don’t see any problem with that because China has not occupied any of our territories, China is not an enemy, but China is a country with which you need to be careful in economic relations. Another thing – our law prohibits such tenders with a state company of another country. This Chinese company is a completely state-owned and not a private company”.

  • Regarding Anaklia, on July 31, during a hearing held in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of the U.S., the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien named the steps, that are important for Georgia to take and among holding free and fair elections without violence against civil society and “transparency requirements” to be compatible to EU law, not Russian law, he said not to have China develop deep water port in Anaklia.
  • Meanwhile, in a July 18 interview, the Chinese Ambassador said that the port of Anaklia “will have a great impact on the relations between the two countries and the development of the relations between the countries”.

 

China willing to continue developing cooperation with Georgia in the fields of national defense and security

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

Georgian officials and others attended a reception held by the Chinese Embassy in Georgia to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the creation of the People’s Liberation Army of China. According to the Chinese Embassy’s July 31 report, the Chinese Ambassador said that China “always upheld the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind” and was “willing to work with Georgia to implement global security initiative and contribute to safeguarding world peace and global development and international order”.

Military Attaché Suru reportedly said that under “the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese military deeply carried out the strategy of reform and strengthening the armed forces, actively participated in international peacekeeping, maritime escort, humanitarian rescue, and other operations, and was willing to continue developing cooperation with Georgia in the fields of national defense and security”.

Georgia and China‘s Global Security Initiative

A screenshot from the document. Source: CIIS

  • On July 18, the China Institute of International Studies published a report on the Implementation Progress of the Global Security Initiative. The Institute extended special gratitude for the “strong support” from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China during the preparation of the report.

Georgia is mentioned in the document. The document said that “over the past two years, leaders from countries across the five continents have lauded President Xi Jinping’s GSI proposal on various occasions… In the joint statements released with China, they have expressed their readiness to work with China in implementing the initiative through close cooperation and coordination”. Among other examples the following was cited from the Georgia–China Strategic partnership document: “Georgia supports the Global Security Initiative proposed by China. The two sides would like to strengthen exchanges and cooperation under the initiative’s framework, make joint efforts for a peaceful and stable international security environment, and promote and protect common development of countries in the region”.

  • The Georgian Ambassador to China Paata Kalandadze attended the launching ceremony of the Center for Global Security Initiative Studies and the release of a report on the Implementation Progress of the Global Security Initiative” in Beijing.
  • The Chinese Ambassador said that China was “willing to work with Georgia to implement global security initiative and contribute to safeguarding world peace and global development and international order”.

 

One Georgian politician expresses “amazement” at China, another defends China’s participation in the Anaklia port project

  • On July 23, a leader of the party “For the People” Ana Dolidze posted videos on her Facebook page from Shangai, China, where she expressed her “amazement” at China’s “breakthrough”.

“As you know, my first profession is international law and I often go abroad to various universities and give lectures on international law. This time, I was invited to [teach] a course in Shanghai at the international relations university, and to be honest, I knew a lot about China, but I was still amazed by this multi-million country and the breakthrough, the leap that this country made in the recent past. They say that China will soon be the world’s number one producer of cars, but at the same time probably of everything. However, in Shanghai, it amazes me that this multi-million city is way cleaner than Tbilisi, in fact, it is spotless, and there are some very important lessons to be learned here,” she noted.

Another video was recorded at a Chinese museum: “I always say that one thing that Bidzina Ivanishvili [honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party] could have done, and which he did not do, was to build a modern art museum in Georgia, which would be a brilliant pearl… Now I’m at [Shanghai’s] Pudong’s museum of contemporary art, which opened in 2015 in a district that has only recently developed over the past 30 years…

This museum hosts exhibitions, it was full of people here … is actually a way to bring district and the city to life”.

On July 18, Dolidze joined a pre-election political alliance of several opposition parties “Strong Georgia”.

  • On July 31, a member of the For Georgia party Mikheil Daushvili defended China’s participation in the Anaklia port project. The party’s founder and leader is Giorgi Gakharia who was the ruling Georgian Dream party government’s Prime Minister in 2019-2021.

“China is a necessary partner for us, of course, we need an economic partnership with it. It is important for China to participate in the port of Anaklia. Chinese cargo must go to Europe. It is logical for China to participate in this project because the main part of the cargo will be theirs. Interests must be balanced because one interest cannot overpower the other. Our main goal should be to balance interests in such a difficult region. The cargo is going to Europe and in addition to Georgia and China, western economic actors need to participate in this project. Obviously, China’s participation in this project is correct and logical,” Mikheil Daushvili noted.

Chinese company wins wind power project in Georgia

Goldwind’s LinkedIn reported about a new country breakthrough and wrote that the company won “a landmark” 206MW wind power project in Georgia.

According to the report, this project is currently the largest single-capacity project in Georgia.

“The Ruisi project is located near the city of Gori in central Georgia, consists of 33 Goldwind GWH171-6.25MW WTGs, which have good capabilities of grid integration and environmental adaptability, and can provide stable power supply, which will meet the daily needs of 200,000 Georgian households, and will effectively reduce 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year,” the report said. The Chinese media also reported the news on July 15.

The company’s Chairman is Wu Gang. According to the Chinese state media, Wu Gang had been selected as a delegate to the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.

 

A claim that China helps Georgia to be a mediator for the restoration of territorial integrity is spread in Georgia

On July 24, the Solidarity for Peace movement, a pro-Russian organization, published a video of its Studio Solidarity where Georgia’s former MP and the leader of Left-Wing Alliance party Soso Shatberashvili talked about China.

“What is stopping us Georgians from accepting the statement of the Chinese Ambassador a year ago as a good proposal and starting to implement it – let’s remember what the Chinese Ambassador said – Chinese President Xi has a great influence on Putin, and if you Georgians want China to intervene in the restoration of territorial integrity, then we are ready to become mediators…”

It is not known if such a statement by the Chinese Ambassador exists.

“…China made such a proposal and then the Prime Minister of Georgia arrived there and there was a signature regarding the strategic partnership,” Shatebrashvili claimed, proceeding then to describe his impression of China: “I was in Shanghai recently and I came back and there are no such talks [that we see regarding] port of Anaklia, you will see a skyscraper and skyscraper… Shanghai is an incredible symbol of China’s economic glory, and such a nation is entering into a partnership with us, and let’s use China…”

Air China is interested in launching direct flights between Georgia and China

  • Georgia’s Civil Aviation Agency announced that the Chinese airline Air China was interested in launching direct flights between Georgia and China in September and was considering operating flights between Tbilisi and Urumqi three times a week, Agenda reported on July 17.
  • Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili said that China was “a new priority destination for the Georgian tourism sector”. She claimed that tourists from China traditionally chose long-term tours and were characterized by high spending power.

She added that the Georgian Government was actively negotiating with other Chinese companies regarding the start of flights from different cities.

China is Georgia’s seventh-biggest trading partner by exports while Georgia doubles the import of cars from China

  • On July 19, Geostat reported that in January-June 2024, compared to the same period last year, Georgia’s exports to China decreased by 33.6%. China was Georgia’s seventh-biggest trading partner by exports ($145.8 million), accounting for 5.1% of total exports.

In January-June 2024, China was the third-biggest trading partner of Georgia – the turnover between the two countries amounted to $855 million (8.3 % of Georgia’s total trade).

China was Georgia’s fourth-biggest import partner with $709.1 million (9.5% of total imports). Compared to the same period last year, that was a 23.1% growth.

  • On July 17, Azernews reported that in January-May 2024, Georgia had imported 1100 passenger cars from China with a total value of $18.6 million, which was 116% more than in the same period of 2023. During this period, Georgia imported 492 trucks from China worth $19.9 million (139% more than in the same period of 2023). Georgia also imported 83 units of special-purpose equipment from China for $6.6 million, which is 186% more than in the same period last year.

Education cooperation

  • On July 25th, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian was invited to attend Georgia’s 2024-2025 Foreign Government Scholarship Awarding Ceremony held by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia and delivered a speech.

He thanked the Ministry for their strong support for the implementation of the Chinese Government Scholarship Program for many years, congratulated all the students who had received the scholarship this year, and expressed hope “that everyone would continue the traditional friendship between China and Georgia along the ancient Silk Road, learn Chinese, understand China, promote the accelerated development of cooperation between China and Georgia in the fields of economy, trade, tourism, education, etc., and continuously enrich the connotation of the China-Georgia strategic partnership”.

  • On July 22, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian was invited to visit the Sokhumi State University of Georgia. The Chinese side expressed readiness to promote cooperation between State Sokhumi University and Chinese universities and think tanks. So did the Rector of the University Zurab Khonelidze.

CCTV prepares a program about Georgia’s tourism potential

On July 25, the Georgian National Tourism Administration reported that the Chinese CCTV was preparing a program about Georgia’s tourism potential. CCTV – which is Chinese state media – was characterized as “one of the world’s top-rated TV channels”.

Other statements

  • On July 31, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that Georgia should restore its traditional connectivity function between the West and the East and China’s participation in the Anaklia project was of “utmost importance”, adding that Georgia’s role should be strengthened within the framework of the Middle Corridor project, 1TV reported. “Effective operation of this port will largely depend on Chinese cargoes,” he noted.
  • On July 19th, the Chinese Ambassador Zhou Qian met with the Chair of the EU Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia Maka Botchorishvili. The Ambassador said China was willing to strengthen cooperation with Georgia, the EU, and countries in the region to “maintain world peace and tranquility and enhance the stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain”. The Embassy wrote that the Georgian side attached importance to China’s status as a major country with international influence and stood ready to cooperate with China in various fields.

Other meetings

  • General Director of Georgian Railways Davit Pheradze hosted a delegation of Chinese Railways where they discussed issues of deepening bilateral cooperation.

Reportedly, the Chinese side expressed its desire to join Middle Corridor Multimodal, a joint venture created by the railways of Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan “for the purpose of effective coordination of container shipments from China in the Middle Corridor, transparency of tariffs and establishment of a stable system, to which the General Director of Georgian Railways expressed full support”.

  • Giorgi Akhvlediani, the first deputy chairman of the Tbilisi City Council, and Zurab Chikviladze, the chairman of the Health and Social Issues Commission of the Tbilisi City Council, were on a working visit to Qingdao, China where they met with the head of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Qingdao and the Deputy Mayor of the city, Interpressnews reported on July 27.

They signed a memorandum of mutual cooperation and agreed on a visit of the deputy mayor to Tbilisi by the end of the year. The Georgian side met with several other officials. The Georgian delegation also visited the main office of Hisense company in Qingdao. Reportedly, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between Georgia’s Gudushauri Clinic and Qingdao Central Municipal Hospital.

Akhvlediani also visited Beijing where he met with the general director of the state-owned company Luyuan Xingqian Technology Development Co, Ltd.

  • Representatives of the local self-government of Georgia’s Marneuli Municipality were on an official visit to China. According to Interpressnews’s August 5 report, the visit took place within the framework of the Silk Road Culture Hub.