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)
- Georgian Ambassador and China’s Deputy Education Minister agreed to activate coordinated work
- Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister met with Chinese colleague
- Azerbaijan and China discussed prospects for expanding cooperation
- China is the fourth-biggest trading partner of Georgia
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News from June 14
Public Television of Armenia and China discuss cooperation
A photo from the meeting. Source: The Embassy of China to Armenia
On June 14, the Director of the Public Television of Armenia, Hovhannes Movsisyan, invited the Chinese Ambassador to Armenia, Fan Yong, to the television.
According to the Embassy report, the Public Television of Armenia was ready to establish cooperation with the Chinese media “to strengthen exchange and cooperation in the cinema field and television”.
The Ambassador said that cooperation with the media was an important part of the cooperation between the two countries, and China was ready to continue provide support in terms of technical equipment and training personnel ”to promote interpersonal and cultural exchange between two countries.
10.7.2023 – 23.7.2023
Azerbaijan and China discussed prospects for expanding cooperation
A photo from the meeting. Source: News.Az
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev met with the Ambassador of China to Azerbaijan Guo Min, News.Az reported on July 11.
They discussed the prospects for expanding cooperation in economy, trade, energy, transport, transit, investment, information and communication technologies, humanitarian, tourism, and other fields.
The two sides also agreed to hold the next meeting of the Azerbaijan-China Intergovernmental Trade and Economic Cooperation Commission in China by the end of 2023.
Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister met with Chinese colleague
A photo from the meeting. Source: Armenpress
On July 21, regular political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and China were held in Beijing. The Armenian delegation was headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan. The Chinese delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu, Armenpress reported.
They discussed a wide range of issues on bilateral regional and international agenda, including cooperation within the international organizations framework.
They also “commended” the dynamics of bilateral cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural, and educational spheres and discussed issues regarding the development and deepening of cooperation in the spheres of connectivity, investments, tourism, and air communication.
Safaryan also talked about the Nagorno-Karabakh situation. Reportedly, Ma Zhaoxu emphasized that China supports the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Armenia, “underscoring that the settlement of conflicts through peaceful negotiations is the key to maintaining peace and security in the region”. The report also said that the Armenian side reiterated its support for the One China principle.
On the same day, Safaryan met with Li Yongquan, the Director of the Institute of Eurasian Social Development at the Development Research Center of the State Council, the Chinese government think tank, and the Institute’s experts. They discussed issues of international and regional politics.
Georgian Ambassador and China’s Deputy Education Minister agreed to activate coordinated work
A photo from the meeting. Source: The Embassy of Georgia to China
On July 21, the Ambassador of Georgia to China, Archil Kalandia, held a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Education of China, Chen Jie, the Embassy of Georgia to China reported.
They discussed issues of deepening cooperation between Georgia and China in the education field. Reportedly, they also agreed to activate coordinated work.
China is the fourth-biggest trading partner of Georgia
On July 19, Geostat reported that in January-June 2023 China was the fourth-biggest trading partner of Georgia.
The turnover between the two countries amounted to $794.8 million (7.7% of Georgia’s total).
China was Georgia’s six-biggest trading partner by exports ($219.7 million) which was 7.2% of total exports. Compared to January-June of the last year that was a 45% decrease.
China also was Georgia’s fourth-biggest import partner with $575 million (8% of total imports).Compared to the same period of 2022 that was a 9.9% growth.
Azerbaijan and Hong Kong discuss elimination of double taxation
A photo from the meeting. Source: Trend
On July 11-13, the first round of negotiations on a draft agreement between the government of Azerbaijan and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China on the elimination of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion was held in Hong Kong, Trend reported on July 15.
Reportedly, all provisions of the draft agreement in terms of taxation were fully agreed upon, and “a decision was made to conduct appropriate mutual work to agree on the remaining issues”. They signed a document on the agreed issues.