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
Strategic Partnership Narrative
On April 6, Chinese Ambassador to Armenia Li Xinwei published an article in Armenpress entitled “China-Armenia relations embark on a new historical stage”.
He wrote that “the Armenian side firmly adheres to the One-China principle, while the Chinese side resolutely supports Armenia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of its borders”.
“Armenia is a long-standing friend of China, dating back to the time of the Great Silk Road and in the new era, a reliable strategic partner,” the Ambassador added.
Commercial Expansion and Tourism Growth
In an article published by the Chinese Ambassador to Armenia Li Xinwei on April 6, he noted among other issues that Chinese automobile brands such as Hongqi, NIO and Changan were “opening and developing their representative offices” in the country.
The ambassador also wrote that in 2025, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Armenia exceeded 45,000, an increase of 37.1% compared to 2024.
Economic Cooperation and Connectivity
On April 20, the Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a phone conversation with the Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi.
The two ministers discussed the utilisation of potential in the field of economic cooperation, the promotion of investments, the development of infrastructure and the addressing of logistical challenges. They highlighted the need for “the process of unblocking transport and economic infrastructure”.
Other Engagement
- On April 29, the Armenian delegation including the Special Envoy of the Armenian Presidency of the Conference of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 17), the Ambassador Mher Margaryan and the Armenian Ambassador to China Vahe Gevorgyan participated in the Green and Sustainable Development Forum of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization held in Ningbo, China.
A video message by the Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan was delivered at the forum. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed Armenia’s willingness to promote cooperation with China and the SCO in the areas of sustainable development and environmental protection.
Azerbaijan-China
Legal and Judicial Cooperation
- On April 30, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) concluded its 22nd session in Beijing, China Daily reported. Among other issues, lawmakers ratified a criminal judicial assistance treaty with Azerbaijan.
- Earlier, on April 13, an Azerbaijani delegation led by Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev paid a working visit to Shanghai at the invitation of the Chief Grand Prosecutor and Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of China Ying Yong.
They exchanged views on “the fight against various forms of crime, practical cooperation, as well as prospects for enhancing legal and institutional cooperation” and reached an agreement on the Azerbaijani prosecutors’ involvement in training courses at Chinese higher education institutions”.
Digital Cooperation, Cybersecurity and the “Fight Against Disinformation and Deepfakes”
- On April 24, the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev held a meeting with the Minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China Zhuang Rongwen.
“Based on the comprehensive strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China, with Mr. Zhuang Rongwen, Minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China, we discussed bilateral cooperation between our countries in the field of digital development, social media and the fight against disinformation and deepfakes,” wrote Hajiyev.
- Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev also met with the Minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China Zhuang Rongwen.
The meeting addressed cooperation between Azerbaijan and China in the fields of transport, logistics and technology.
The two sides discussed opportunities in the information and communication technologies and innovation, exchanging views on cybersecurity, research, human capital development and the strengthening of the legal and regulatory framework.
Military Cooperation
On April 10, a delegation from the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan visited China to expand military cooperation between the two countries.
A “working meeting” on the discussion of prospects in the field of military cooperation was held at the International Military Cooperation Department of the Ministry of National Defence of China.
During the meeting, the current state of military cooperation between the two countries, potential opportunities for its development, and future plans were discussed.
It was also emphasised that Azerbaijani-Chinese military cooperation was beneficial in terms of the exchange of experience and information.
Economic and Financial Cooperation
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan discussed the financing of business projects with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC Almaty).
The two sides exchanged views on the development prospects of capital markets and payment systems, cooperation with Azerbaijani banks in financing entrepreneurship and business projects.
Infrastructure and Urban Development
On April 22, Azerbaijan and China held discussions on cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development.
During the meeting between the Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Anar Guliyev and China’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Lu Mei, they exchanged views on prospects for cooperation in various areas, particularly urban planning and infrastructure projects.
Georgia-China
FTA Renewal
- On April 22, China’s Ministry of Commerce reported that the Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao had met the Georgian Dream Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili.
The two sides discussed a number of issues including strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and connectivity.
Kvrivishvili said that the Georgian government placed cooperation with China as a top priority. Reportedly, Georgia is ready to expand agricultural exports to China and strengthen cooperation in fields such as oil and gas development, automobile manufacturing, port infrastructure construction and tourism.
The parties signed the Protocol to the Amendment of the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Georgia.
- On April 22, the Embassy of China to Georgia published the content of the protocol on the renewal of the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement.
The statement said that “The China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement is the first free trade agreement between China and a Eurasian country”.
Reportedly, as a result, China’s investment in Georgia will be safer and more convenient and will further open up cooperation opportunities in areas such as the digital economy, new energy and infrastructure, while for Georgia, it will be easier to export high-quality agricultural products to China and the costs will be reduced, leading to acceleration of exports to China.
- On April 25, BPN reported a comment of Kvrivishvili after her visit to China: “We have made a very important decision to create an intergovernmental format that will ensure support for attracting the largest investments, as well as the involvement of Chinese companies in strategic projects”.
Data Centres, AI and Digital Economy Discussed
- On April 24, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Mariam Kvrivishvili met with the Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China Zhuang Rongwen.
Reportedly, special emphasis was placed on relations in the field of communications, information and modern technologies, which “will contribute to the development of the digital economy”.
It was noted that the development of large-scale data centres was strategically important for Georgia, and would turn the country into a regional digital hub. The parties discussed the possibility of cooperation in this direction.
During the meeting, attention was also focused on cooperation between the two countries for the use and implementation of artificial intelligence in the public and private sectors.
- On April 21, the Georgian Dream Minister of Justice held talks with the Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China on expanding bilateral cooperation in the digital sphere.
Paata Salia and Zhuang Rongwen emphasised that Georgia’s closer cooperation with China’s Cyberspace Administration would enhance the two countries’ capabilities in cybersecurity and digital innovation.
Salia also presented the key principles of the national cybersecurity awareness strategy. Discussions also covered the use of artificial intelligence, the development of mobile applications and the implementation of digital identity (Digital ID) initiatives.
BRI, the Middle Corridor, Connectivity and Flights
- On April 8, the Georgian Dream President Mikheil Kavelashvili met with the Ambassador of China to Georgia Zhou Qian.
Imedi reported that Kavelashvili had focused on the importance of cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Middle Corridor.
- On April 23, during their visit to China, the Deputy Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development, Genadi Arveladze and Irakli Nadareishvili, held a meeting with the Deputy Director of the Commercial Committee of China Southern Airlines Tan Guang.
The meeting covered ongoing negotiations with China Southern Airlines regarding the introduction of direct flights from Tbilisi to Beijing and other Chinese cities.
Additionally, the Deputy Ministers and the Deputy Director of China Southern’s Commercial Committee discussed the potential development of a regional cargo hub along the Middle Corridor route.
It was noted that direct access to Black Sea ports could be established for China Southern Cargo’s operations from Tbilisi, via railway corridors and regional road networks.
- On April 27, Georgia Today reported that direct flights between Tbilisi and Shanghai would begin on July 15, following a decision made during a meeting between Mariam Kvrivishvili and executives of China Eastern Airlines in China.
The airline will operate regular flights on the Shanghai-Tbilisi-Shanghai route three times a week.
Financial Integration
- On April 16, Reuters reported that Georgia’s BasisBank, which is owned by a Chinese conglomerate, Hualing Group, acquired a 95.99% ownership stake in Georgia’s Liberty Bank, reportedly, the country’s third-largest lender.
Xinjiang-based Hualing Group bought a controlling stake in BasisBank in 2012 and purchased Société Générale’s controlling stake in Bank Republic in 2016.
- In parallel, on April 17, the National Bank of Georgia began investing a portion of its foreign exchange reserves in Chinese government bonds, Xinhua reported.
About 100 million U.S. dollars had already been placed in yuan-denominated instruments, with plans to increase that amount to 300 million dollars, roughly 5 percent of the country’s total reserves, said NBG Director Natia Turnava.
According to Turnava, the funds are being invested through purchases of Chinese sovereign bonds denominated in yuan.
Industrial Cooperation: Xiaomi
On April 24, the Georgian Dream Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili held a meeting with the Chinese company Xiaomi Group. She offered the Chinese company the opportunity to develop a regional logistics representation for the automotive industry. Kvrivishvili noted that Georgia could provide a regional logistics platform that would facilitate the distribution of Xiaomi products to neighbouring markets.
Tourism
On April 15, Bm.ge reported that 1,170,362 international visitors had visited Georgia in the first quarter of 2026, of which 20,612 visits were from China (a 48.6% increase). During this period, China ranked 8th among the top source countries for international visitors.