China Radar: South Caucasus is a monthly publication dedicated to China’s activities and influence in the three nations of South Caucasus.
China’s Presence, Activities and Influence in the South Caucasus
Diplomatic Messaging
In a meeting with the Armenian foreign minister on 27 June, China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, told his counterpart that “the Global South is rising collectively,” and that “bloc confrontation is outdated and the international landscape is moving toward multipolarity.”
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The Chinese ambassador to Georgia, Zhou Qian, said on 5 June that “China will remain committed to working with the Georgian people to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind”, and “deepen the connection between the Belt and Road and the Middle Corridor.”
Economic Involvement and Connections
On 5 June, China’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, Lu Mei, said that China had invested $900 million in Azerbaijan to date while “bilateral trade turnover increased by 43.3 percent in 2024.”
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On 10 June, the container yard “at Georgia’s Poti port, constructed by the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC), officially commenced operations.” Reportedly, “as the largest and most advanced intermodal container yard in Georgia, it is designed to handle up to 500,000 TEUs annually”.
Technological Influence
In June, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense expanded its order of the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets from 16 to 40 airplanes.
Stances and Activities by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia Benefiting China’s Foreign Policy
Support for China and its Policies
In a meeting with the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, on 27 June, Armenia’s foreign minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, “expressed interest in establishing strategic partnership,” and “reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to upholding the One-China principle and supporting China in safeguarding its core interests.”
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On 5 June, Georgia’s prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that “China is precisely the kind of global power that everyone should look up to,” and that all should appreciate “the unique role China plays not only in the region but also globally, in contributing to greater peace”.