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
At an event on 3 July, China’s ambassador to Armenia, Li Xinwei, stressed the supposed common status of China and Armenia as “developing countries and members of the Global South.”
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During an event on 29 July, China’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, Lu Mei, said that China would work with Azerbaijan to “deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.”
Economic Involvement and Connections
From 21 July, the China Southern Airlines increased the frequency of Urumqi-Yerevan flights from three to six per week.
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Direct regular flights between Shanghai and Tbilisi were launched in mid-July 2026.
Influence in the Military and Security Spheres
China reportedly has been developing closer ties to Armenia in the military sphere with increased number of Armenian service members studying at Chinese military institutions. Armenia has also been acquiring Chinese military equipment, including drones, unmanned land platforms, and anti-tank missile systems.
Technological Influence
According to a statement by Georgia’s minister of economy and sustainable development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, a joint working group had been established to deepen cooperation in the field of AI, on the basis of a memorandum between her ministry and China’s National Development and Reform Commission.
South Caucasus Actors Expressing Support for China
Following a visit of an Armenian media delegation to Xinjiang on 23-24 July, the English department editor-in-chief of Armenpress, Stepan Kocharyan, praised the Chinese governance of the region including “the level of attention the government is giving to all sectors of public life,” saying that the community and cultural service center in the regional capital Urumqi was “doing an amazing job in caring for so many families who represent so many ethnicities.”
Stances and Activities by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia Benefiting China’s Foreign Policy
Support for the Belt and Road Initiative
In a 23 July meeting with a senior official in the Chinese Communist Party, Kang Shuai, deputy chairman of Azerbaijan’s ruling party, Tahir Budagov, stressed the “strategic significance” of the Belt and Road Initiative, while also reaffirming Azerbaijan’s “unwavering support” for the One China policy.
Other Support for China and its Policies
On 16 July, prime minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, described China as a “peaceful state focused on development, modernization and progress,” calling it “extremely successful in all areas,” which he said was the result of the “wise policy of the Chinese government, Chinese President Xi Jinping.”
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On 27 July, Kobakhidze said China had “consistently treated Georgia as an equal and respected partner, contrasting China’s approach with what he described as “double standards in international relations.” Kobakhidze also referred to China as “a global, peaceful superpower committed to strengthening international cooperation and stability“.