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 172nd out of 180 countries).
Armenia-China
Defense cooperation
On May 21, the Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan received the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador Li Xinwei.
During the meeting, the parties discussed defense cooperation between Armenia and China, as well as regional and international security issues.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Ambassador Li Xinwei made remarks during an official reception held at the Chinese Embassy to mark the start of his diplomatic mission.
“China is ready to deepen cooperation with Armenian partners within the SCO framework to jointly build a shared home based on peace, stability, mutual trust, and prosperity,” the statement noted.
The Chinese side said that the foundation of political mutual trust remains solid, both sides consistently support each other’s core interests and major concerns and China highly appreciates Armenia’s continued support for the One-China principle.
The event was attended by high-ranking Armenian officials.
OtherOn May 19, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador Li Xinwei.
The two sides exchanged ideas on the Armenian Government’s Crossroads of Peace project and its principles.
They also highlighted the implementation of joint programs in the economy and tourism sectors, including increasing the number of direct flights between the two countries. Reference was made to the organization of high-level mutual visits and cooperation within international organizations.
- The China Earthquake Administration delegation arrived in Armenia to participate in the opening ceremony of the seismogeodynamic network and data collection and processing center, built within the framework of Armenian-Chinese cooperation, which took place on May 22 at the Institute of Geophysics and Engineering Seismology. The President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia Ashot Saghyan hosted the delegation. The visit also aimed to strengthen ongoing collaboration and explore future joint initiatives.
Azerbaijan-China
Chinese Ambassador on media, AI and party cooperation
On June 10, Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Lu Mei announced that at the end of June, a visit to China is planned by the leadership of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency and representatives of several leading Azerbaijani media outlets.
The Ambassador noted that China invited Azerbaijani officials twice to participate in seminars on AI capacity building: “China will continue to support the efforts of Global South countries including Azerbaijan in enhancing capacity, bridging digital and intellectual divides, and jointly moving toward a bright digital and intelligent future through policy exchange, technical support, financial assistance, personnel training and joint research”.
According to her, Azerbaijan became one of the first countries to join the Group of Friends for international cooperation for Global AI Capacity Building Initiative and supported UN General Assembly resolution on ‘Strengthening International Cooperation on AI Capacity Building.
She also announced that she would travel to Shusha “as a representative of the Communist Party of China” to participate in the International Interparty Conference organized by the New Azerbaijan Party.
Economy
On June 5, Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan said that to date China had invested $900 million in Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijani investments in China total $300 million.
Other
- Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense increased its order for JF-17 Thunder light multirole fighter jets from 16 to 40 units, Caucasus Watch reported on June 4. Reportedly, the deal, valued at approximately $4.2 billion, involves the acquisition of the advanced Block III version of the JF-17 series, a 4.5-generation fighter jointly developed by Pakistan and China.
Georgia-China
Kobakhidze: China is precisely the kind of global power that everyone should look up to
On June 5, during the Tbilisi Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, Irakli Kobakhidze stated that “China is precisely the kind of global power that everyone should look up to”. He noted that China has been “fully focused on progress, modernisation and economic development” and added that all should appreciate “the unique role China plays not only in the region but also globally, in contributing to greater peace”.
The Chinese Ambassador Zhou Qian also attended the Tbilisi Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, where he emphasised China’s international affairs concepts: “China will remain committed to working with the Georgian people to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, strengthen communication and coordination, deepen the connection between the Belt and Road and the Middle Corridor”.
China is willing to actively share its experience in religious affairs with the Georgian side
On June 4, the Ambassador Zhou Qian met with the Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakmadze. According to the Chinese Embassy, China is willing to actively share its experience in religious affairs with the Georgian side and promote exchange and mutual learning in related fields. Vashakmadze reportedly expressed the hope to extensively learn from China’s experience in governance, including in the area of religious work.
Other
- A Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Friendly Exchanges between Shanghai and Tbilisi was signed, Chinese state-run China Daily reported on May 30. The Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi Andria Basilaia said that Tbilisi has a lot to learn from Shanghai.
- On June 9, the Georgian Dream parliament representatives Giorgi Volski and Irakli Mezurnishvili met with members of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Reportedly, issues of deepening cooperation were discussed.
- On June 9, the Georgian Dream State Representative of the Kakheti region Giorgi Aladashvili participated in the 4th International Forum of Sister Cities in Ningxia Autonomous Region, China.
A memorandum of cooperation was signed. The establishment of friendly relations between the two regions includes collaboration in the fields of education and culture, as well as partnership in agriculture.