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 178th out of 180 countries).
Armenia-China
Global Public Security Cooperation Forum and law enforcement cooperation
- On September 18, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Armenia Arthur Poghosyan participated in the 2025 Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, China, which brought together nearly 2000 participants from 120 countries, regions and international organisations.
- On September 16, Armenpress reported that Arthur Poghosyan had met the Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong.
Poghosyan praised the role of the 2025 Global Public Security Cooperation Forum, held in China, as a “global platform for cooperation between law enforcement agencies”.
Wang Xiaohong emphasised the importance of the Armenian Investigative Committee’s readiness to cooperate, noting that the Armenian-Chinese strategic partnership spans various sectors, including public security and collaboration between law enforcement bodies. The Chinese side noted Beijing’s readiness to create new avenues of cooperation in the fields of law enforcement and security.
They discussed combating transnational crime, particularly drug trafficking and exchanged views on enhancing the capacities of law enforcement agencies in fighting cybercrime and in high-tech sectors.
They also noted the importance of “uniting efforts to safely advance joint projects and deepen cooperation in the training of investigators”. The two sides agreed to strengthen relations between their respective law enforcement agencies and to expand bilateral cooperation.
Global Governance Initiative
On September 22, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin attended the Independence Day reception hosted by the Embassy of Armenia in China.
In his speech, he noted that China was ready to work with Armenia to jointly implement the Xi Jinping-initiated Global Governance Initiative and promote the “building of a community with a shared future for mankind”.
Ambassador of Armenia to China Vahe Gevorgyan said that Armenia highly appreciated the Global Governance Initiative and supported international cooperation on this initiative.
Armenian Minister of Defence meets Chinese defence officials
On September 17, the Minister of Defence of Armenia Suren Papikyan participated in an official multilateral reception in China.
The reception was organised on behalf of the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China, Colonel General Zhang Youxia, on the margins of the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.
Reportedly, Papikyan held informal discussions with Zhang Youxia, Minister of Defence Admiral Dong Jun, as well as other high-ranking officials.
Other
On September 17, a delegation led by the Vice Chairperson of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Su Hui visited Armenia.
The agenda included a meeting with Armenia’s President Vahagn Khachaturyan, National Assembly Chairman Alen Simonyan, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Hakob Arshakyan, as well as members of the National Assembly Armenian-Chinese Friendship Group.
Azerbaijan-China
Defence cooperation
- On September 15, Intelligence Online reported that Azerbaijan is continuing to develop its drone industry. In an article entitled “Azerbaijani intelligence abounds in Chinese drone technology” it says that Baku is “now looking to equip itself on a massive scale in deals with China”.
- On September 18, the Minister of Defence of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov together with senior officials from the Ministry, paid a working visit to Beijing to participate in the 12th Xiangshan Forum under the theme “Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development” at the invitation of the Minister of National Defence of China, Dong Jun.
Hasanov also met with his Chinese counterpart. The two sides discussed the current status and future prospects of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and China.
Party cooperation
- On September 15, the Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova met with the Vice-chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Su Hui.
The two sides discussed the role of regular contacts established between the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) and the Chinese Communist Party in the development of bilateral political relations, the projects implemented by Azerbaijan and “the importance of joint cooperation in the development of the Middle Corridor”.
- On September 11, as part of their visit to China, the delegation of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) met with the Head of the Eurasian Department of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Xu Qinxian.
On September 12, the YAP delegation participated in the opening ceremony and plenary session of the “China in Sight, Global Insight” Forum 2025. At the plenary session, the Head of the YAP delegation Hikmat Mammadov delivered a speech on the topic “High-quality cooperation for global peace, stability and development”.
Agreements
- On September 9, during the visit to China by the Azerbaijani delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and co-chair of the Azerbaijan-China Intergovernmental Trade and Economic Cooperation Commission Shahin Mustafayev, an Investment Agreement was signed in Chengdu between the Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) and the Chinese high-tech company Sichuan Sunsync Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd. to establish a solar panel manufacturing facility in the Alat Free Economic Zone.
- On September 22, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Azerbaijan and a Chinese company on the establishment of a “Green Energy Industrial Park” within the framework of the 1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum.
Media cooperation
On September 17, during the Belt and Road Media Cooperation Forum in Kunming, China, panel sessions focused on “media collaboration for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation”.
The Head of the International Department of Azerbaijan’s Xalq Qazeti Yusif Sharifzade highlighted the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China, “emphasising ongoing economic, trade, and cultural cooperation, as well as successful collaboration on international platforms”.
The forum hosts over 200 journalists from 87 countries, along with representatives of international and regional organisations. It is annually organised by “Zhenmin Jibao”, China’s official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.
Other
- On September 29, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter on the occasion of the National Holiday of China to the CCP leader Xi Jinping. Among other issues, he praised the successful implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the growth in shipments via its important component, the Middle Corridor.
- On September 15, Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov and the Deputy Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Su Hui discussed collaboration development prospects in various areas of “mutual interest” between Azerbaijan and China.
Georgia-China
Law enforcement and legal cooperation
- Georgian Dream Interior Minister Geka Geladze visited China and took part in a forum hosted by Chinese authorities and a meeting with China’s Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, Civil.ge reported on September 18.
Geladze led a delegation to the China-hosted Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang.
Geladze also held a bilateral meeting with China’s Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong. The Ministry said that they had discussed existing cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries. Reportedly, Geladze and Wang Xiaohong focused on sectoral reforms, ongoing projects and “the importance of sharing information and experience within the framework of police cooperation”.
The Georgian Dream representative expressed readiness to continue working with the Chinese counterparts to make cooperation “more flexible and effective”. They also expressed their readiness to implement measures to “share experience and best practices between the agencies“.
- On September 8, Georgian Dream’s Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze met with the First Deputy Prosecutor General of China Dong Yanming, to discuss areas of future cooperation. They expressed their readiness to strengthen mutual collaboration and agreed to initiate a bilateral agreement in the field of criminal law.
Kobakhidze: China is an example to all civilised countries
On September 29, at an event marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 80th anniversary of World War II, Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that currently China was an “example to all civilised countries as a state focused on progress, modernisation and development, and strengthening global peace”.
Kobakhidze congratulated Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian and emphasised “China’s key role in shaping the post-World War II international order”.
He noted that Tbilisi attached great importance to their “close and dynamic partnership” with the People’s Republic of China. “Our friendship is grounded in mutual respect, trust and shared priorities,” Kobakhidze added.
He expressed commitment to enhancing connectivity and collaboration within the Belt and Road framework, noting that the BRI, together with the Middle Corridor, “offers exceptional opportunities” to deepen the partnership and “reinforce the strong ties” between the two nations.
Anaklia port project
On September 15, Irakli Kobakhidze stated that there were six main issues in the negotiations with the Chinese CCCC regarding the Anaklia port that need to be clarified. According to him, negotiations were progressing successfully and, reportedly, as soon as they reach an agreement, “the final contract will be signed immediately”.
Global Governance Initiative
On September 30, Interpressnews published an article by the Chinese Ambassador Zhou Qian entitled “Global Governance Initiative – creating a fairer and more reasonable global governance system”.
Among other points, he noted that in 2023, the Georgian government, in a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Georgia, unequivocally expressed its support for President Xi Jinping’s initiatives on global development, security and civilization, noting that over the past two years, China and Georgia had “continuously enriched cooperation under these three initiatives”.
“Exchanges between the two countries in areas such as economy, trade, finance, crime prevention, education and culture have been even more active,” the Ambassador wrote.
He added that China was looking forward to strengthening cooperation with “all countries in the world, including Georgia, to jointly explore ways to transform and improve global governance and jointly create a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress”.
Economic relations
- On September 22, the Chinese Global Times reported that China and Georgia had substantially concluded the negotiations to upgrade the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which would “further enhance trade facilitation between the two countries and promote the deepening development of bilateral economic and trade relations”.
Reportedly, the two sides also agreed to formally sign a memorandum of understanding as soon as possible to conclude the upgrade process for the FTA.
- In January-August 2025, China was the seventh biggest trade partner to Georgia (4.4% of total trade, with a 3.3% decline compared to the same period last year).
- In the first two quarters of 2025, China did not rank among the top 10 investor countries in Georgia.
Education
On September 26, Xinhua reported that a seminar commemorating “the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world anti-fascist war” had been held on September 25 at the Tbilisi State University. The seminar was co-organised by the Chinese Embassy in Georgia.
Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian emphasised that “President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative contributes China’s wisdom and proposals to strengthening and improving global governance”.
The article noted that China was willing to work together with Georgia and all countries to safeguard the achievements “of the victory of World War II and international fairness and justice and to build a community with a shared future for mankind”.
Reportedly, “senior Georgian media professional and scholar Nachkhebia” proposed an initiative calling on the Georgian academic community to support recognising the July 7, 1937, Lugou Bridge Incident (Marco Polo Bridge incident) as the official beginning of World War II and “to attach great importance to China’s historic contribution to the victory in the war”. In a report photo, Badri Nachkebia was attending the event.
Narratives around relations with China and the US
- Georgian Dream’s Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration Levan Makhashvili downplayed the Georgia-China relations as small trade relations: “While the US itself declares deepening economic and trade relations with China as one of its strategic priorities, these individuals are trying to portray Georgia’s small, yet existing, trade relations as a major geopolitical problem”. He also said that there was “a deliberate attempt to drag Georgia into a geopolitical confrontation between China and the United States and turn it into a pawn between these two major powers”.
- On September 11, Georgian Dream party-affiliated People’s Power party MP Guram Macharashvili described the US Helsinki Commission as part of “deep state”, while noting that, as for Georgia-China relations, the situation was “tragically comical”, stating that “the US and Trump prioritise relations with China and it is clearly evident in his statements and visits”.
Other
- On September 19, the Head of Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Bureau Razhden Kuprashvili paid an official visit to Hong Kong, China, where he met with the Head of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. They discussed ongoing “anti-corruption reforms” and agreed to sign a memorandum of cooperation.
- On September 17, Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili said that when she spoke about Georgia’s role in terms of connectivity, it was “impossible to discuss all of this if we do not have well-developed relations with China”.
1TV reporter Maka Tsintsadze reportedly asked “what she would respond to opponents’ criticism regarding the fact that Georgia’s government was not invited to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Shanghai and the celebrations or other ceremonial events running parallel to this summit.” Botchorishvili answered that if Georgia’s government had been invited, this would probably have become grounds for criticising Georgia’s government with “fresh enthusiasm”.
“An explanation was provided regarding who was invited to this event and the reasons behind it. We do not hold any representation within the Shanghai Organisation, and, naturally, Georgia could not have been invited in any capacity to this event… Precisely those who participated in the Shanghai Organisation meeting attended this event. From our region as well, both Azerbaijan and Armenia were represented at this event, and this was precisely the explanation we received from the Chinese side regarding whom they were inviting to this event,” Botchorishvili stated.
The invitation criteria were not based on SCO participation. India, a member of the SCO, was not invited to the parade, while, for example, Slovakia was.
26 leaders were invited, mostly from Asia, but from all five continents, including those of Armenia and Azerbaijan. From the European leaders, only the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico was invited. Orbán was not present, but a representative of the Hungarian Government and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó was.