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
Propaganda and Disinformation
The Reporters Without Borders published a material saying that “since 2022, Beijing has been gradually strengthening its influence on Georgia’s information space,” engaging in a “subtle and widespread influence operation which — in Georgia’s weakened media landscape — is contributing to the circulation and mutual reinforcement of authoritarian narratives, thereby undermining media pluralism.”
Diplomatic Messaging
In a meeting with Azerbaijan‘s parliamentary speaker Sahiba Gafarova on 25 March, the chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji promoted Beijing’s foreign policy concept of building “a community with a shared future for humanity.”
Economic Involvement and Connections
Georgia’s trade data for January-February 2026 showed a great increase in both exports to and imports from China, with it being Georgia’s second largest trade partner. In 2025, China had been the fourth among Georgia’s trade partners.
Soft Power
On 29 March, the head of the Confucius Institute at the Azerbaijan University of Languages, Rafig Abbasov, said that the Institute “has already provided Chinese language education to more than 4,000 students at its 13 branches, scientific organizations, and various universities and schools.”
Aid
During a 9-14 March visit to China, the chairman of Azerbaijan’s Board of the Mine Action Agency of Azerbaijan (ANAMA), Vugar Suleymanov, “expressed gratitude for China’s contribution to mine clearance activities in Azerbaijan.”
Stances and Activities by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia Benefiting China’s Foreign Policy
Support for the Belt and Road Initiative
In their meeting on 25 March, the chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji andAzerbaijan‘s parliamentary speaker Sahiba Gafarova “highlighted that Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to support the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative,” along with the notions that “Azerbaijan is a key transport hub in Eurasia, and the Middle Corridor has become a reliable, safe, and efficient route connecting China and Europe via the Caspian Sea.”
Other Support for China and its Policies
In a 25 March meeting with the chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji, Azerbaijan‘s parliamentary speaker Sahiba Gafarova stressed that “Azerbaijan firmly adheres to the one-China principle.” Zhao Leji reportedly “expressed China’s high appreciation” for this, as well as for Azerbaijan’s “support for China’s position on Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.”