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 Azerbaijan’s foreign minister on 28 January, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi emphasized the two countries’ supposed common identity “as Global South countries,” saying they should work together to “promote the building of a more just and effective global governance system.”
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“The significance of the Middle Corridor and the prospects for its further development” were reportedly “highlighted” in a 27 January meeting between China’s ambassador to Georgia, Zhou Qian, and the Georgian foreign minister.
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On 28 January, Ambassador Zhou Qian praised the economic and trade cooperation between China and Georgia under the Belt and Road Initiative. In an interview on 20 January, Zhou Qian had also praised Georgia for its “active integration” with the BRI.
Economic Involvement and Connections
On 19 January, “the first cross-Caspian Sea China-Central Asia freight train” reportedly departed from the Tianjin Municipality in north China for Baku, Azerbaijan. The train route runs through Xinjiang and Kazakhstan before crossing the Caspian Sea, taking about 20 days.
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Azerbaijani media reported on 26 January that “freight traffic on China-Azerbaijan route” had increased by 37 percent in 2025. Meanwhile, the Baku International Sea Trade Port “handled a record 107,000+ TEU containers” in 2025 amounting to a 40 percent growth compared to 2024.
Technological Influence
On 30 January, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China’s UnionPay International. Under the memorandum, “the two sides will cooperate on the issuance and processing of UnionPay cards in Azerbaijan, the integration of international money transfer systems, and the deployment of QR-code and token-based payment technologies.”
Stances and Activities by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia Benefiting China’s Foreign Policy
Support for China and its Policies
In a 28 January meeting with the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, Azerbaijan’s foreign minister Jeyhun Bayramov expressed support for Beijing’s four global initiatives, and said Baku was willing to join the Group of Friends of Global Governance (China’s new diplomatic initiative).