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 Georgian government delegation on 4 November, Chinese Premier Li Qiang stated that China stood ready to develop “high-quality Belt and Road cooperation“ with Georgia, that both countries were “members of the Global South,” and should “jointly implement the four major global initiatives put forth by China.”
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In a meeting with Georgia’s foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on 7 November, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi “called for advancing the Belt and Road cooperation and closer coordination between the two countries“ under Xi Jinping’s four global governance initiatives, adding that “China stood ready to work with Georgia to implement the Global Governance Initiative and to better safeguard the ‘legitimate rights and interests of the Global South.’”
Economic Involvement and Connections
On 12 November, China Datang Overseas Investment Co. Ltd. signed an agreement with the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan on the evaluation, development and implementation of the 100 MW Solar Power Plant Project in Azerbaijan.
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On 18 November, in the Chinese city of Xi’an, railway companies from Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan, “signed a cooperation agreement with China Railway Container Transport Corp., Ltd. (CRCT) to jointly develop the Middle Corridor.”
Technological Influence
At a military parade held in Baku, Azerbaijani armed forces displayed China’s HQ-9 long-range anti-aircraft missile system recently acquired by Azerbaijan.
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Armenia has reportedly introduced into its armed forces “a new generation of Chinese-made robotic platforms, often referred to as ‘robot dogs.’”
Stances and Activities by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia Benefiting China’s Foreign Policy
Support for the Belt and Road Initiative
On 5 November, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reportedly “highlighted the similarities between the Armenian government’s Crossroads of Peace project and China’s Belt and Road Initiative,” saying that the two concepts “have overlaps in terms of content.”
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In a meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 7 November, Georgia’s foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili stressed that Georgia “adheres firmly to the one-China policy,” and “will continue participating actively in the joint construction of the Belt and Road.”
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On 29 November, Georgia’s prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that “the BRI played a crucial role in strengthening Georgia’s connectivity and deepening its cooperation with China” in an interview to a Chinese media outlet.
Other Support for China and its Policies
In an interview with China’s CGTN media outlet published on 9 November, Georgia’s prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that Tbilisi “very much” supported all of Xi Jinping’s four global initiatives, stressing that “we fully support the ideas reflected in Global Governance Initiative and we just appreciate this approach by President Xi Jinping and by the Chinese government.”
Kobakhidze added that China was “the only peaceful superpower in the modern world,” as well as a “role model for modernisation, for progress, for economic development.”
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On 4 November, Kobakhidze expressed Georgia’s support for China’s four global initiatives in a meeting with the Chinese Premier Li Qiang.