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
Education
On March 20, the Ambassador of China to Armenia Li Xinwei visited the Yerevan State University and met with the Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan.
The Ambassador welcomed Yerevan State University’s intention to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with Chinese universities.
Other
On March 1, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged Chinese nationals in Iran to evacuate as soon as possible, including by using visa-free entry through the Agarak crossing into Armenia.
Azerbaijan-China
High-Level Political Engagement and Parliamentary Cooperation
On March 25, the Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji met with Azerbaijan’s Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, who was in China for the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026.
Zhao said that China was ready to jointly advance the building of “a community with a shared future for humanity”, among other topics discussed.
He also noted that the National People’s Congress Standing Committee was ready to strengthen exchanges with the Milli Majlis to provide legal safeguards for practical cooperation between the two countries.
Gafarova said Azerbaijan firmly adhered to the “one-China principle” and was willing to strengthen cooperation with China across various fields and deepen exchanges between legislative bodies.
According to Trend, the Chinese side also expressed China’s “high appreciation” for Azerbaijan’s stance on “One China” policy and its support for China’s position on Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Among other issues, Zhao also highlighted China’s interest in developing ties in sectors such as digital development, artificial intelligence, and green energy.
Security and Humanitarian Demining Cooperation
From March 9 to March 13, a delegation led by the Chairman of the Board of the Mine Action Agency of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) Vugar Suleymanov visited China.
Reportedly, the purpose of the visit was to establish direct contacts with the Arms Control Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and to hold meetings at the ministry, the People’s Liberation Army Engineering University, as well as several Chinese companies specializing in the production of mine clearance equipment.
The Azerbaijani side met with the Director General of the Arms Control Department of China’s Foreign Ministry Sun Xiaobo.
The two sides discussed the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation in the field of humanitarian demining signed between ANAMA and the Chinese Foreign Ministry as well as other issues related to cooperation.
Suleymanov expressed gratitude for China’s contribution to mine clearance activities in Azerbaijan.
Sun Xiaobo noted that humanitarian demining activities “play a crucial role in Azerbaijan’s post-war recovery and reconstruction process and stated that the Chinese side is interested in supporting Azerbaijan’s demining efforts and further expanding cooperation in this field”.
Reportedly, the Azerbaijani delegation also visited the China North Industries Group Corporation, and the exhibition center of the Chinese state-owned defense industrial complex, where a meeting was held with the company’s management.
Energy and Renewable Development Collaboration
On March 18, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov met with the Executive Vice President of PowerChina Resources Ltd. He Shiyou to discuss the development of renewable energy projects.
They discussed the implementation of a 160 MW solar power plant, 2 GW offshore wind energy projects and potential new investment opportunities.
Discussions also included China’s policies on smart grid development, the formation of a “new energy system,” digital transformation, and powering data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) systems with renewable energy.
Meanwhile, on March 31, the Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan’s Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) Authority, Valeh Alasgarov said that the first Chinese company officially registered in AFEZ, Sunsync, had been offered a plot of land for the construction of a solar power plant (SPP) in the AFEZ.
According to him, most of the products manufactured would be exported, because the production volume was expected to be very large.
Technological and Digital Economy Cooperation
On March 11, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov met with the Executive Vice President of the Chinese company iSoftStone Li Huang.
The meeting focused on the broadening of economic collaboration between Azerbaijan and China, “especially exploring opportunities for partnership in the digital economy, innovation and advanced technology fields”.
They also discussed prospects for interaction in digital economic transformation, the implementation of innovative technologies, the advancement of modern IT and artificial intelligence solutions, as well as exchanges on collaboration in technology transfer and the development of supply and value chains that would support the production of computers and electronic devices in Azerbaijan.
Economic Cooperation and Investment Initiatives
On March 31, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov met with the Deputy CEO and member of the Investment Committee of the Silk Road Fund Si Xinbo.
They discussed initiatives aimed at diversifying economic relations between Azerbaijan and China, as well as the establishment of the Joint Investment Fund between the Azerbaijan Investment Holding and the Silk Road Fund, as well as “the implementation of potential investment projects, and opportunities to expand the use of various financing models”.
Evacuation and Humanitarian Coordination
By March 5, more than 260 Chinese citizens had arrived in Azerbaijan from Iran as part of an evacuation effort coordinated by the Chinese Embassy amid the war in Iran. The Chinese Embassy noted that the Azerbaijani government had provided “great support” for the entry of Chinese nationals.
Educational Exchange
On March 29, the Director of the Confucius Institute at the Azerbaijan University of Languages Rafig Abbasov said that interest in the Chinese language was growing year by year in Azerbaijan.
“The Confucius Institute at the Azerbaijan University of Languages has been operating in Baku for a decade. 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,” he added.
Georgia-China
Trade and Economic Relations
In January-February 2026, China was Georgia’s second largest trading partner, comprising 13% of total trade (with the total trade turnover reaching around $457 million).
Exports to China increased dramatically: largest export destination ($147 million, 14.3% of total exports), year-on-year growth rate of 289.1%.
China also had strong position in imports to Georgia: the third largest import partner with $310 million (12.5% share of total imports). Year-on-year import growth: 28.4% (compared to the same period in 2025).
In January-February 2026, Georgian exports to China were highly concentrated, with over 85% consisting of precious metal ores and concentrates. Chinese exports to Georgia included: semiconductor devices, electric generating sets and rotary converters, motor vehicles, etc.
In 2025, China was a major economic partner for Georgia, ranking as its fourth largest trading partner, with the total trade turnover reaching $2.313 billion, accounting for 9% of Georgia’s total trade.
Media Influence
According to Reporters Without Borders, since 2022, “Beijing has been gradually strengthening its influence on Georgia’s information space”. The article states that “instead of opening a state media outlet in the country, the Chinese authorities rely on local intermediaries — particularly outlets that are pro-Kremlin and favour the Georgian government — to promote their narratives”. Reporters Without Borders is “sounding the alarm about this 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”.
Tourism Cooperation and Promotion
Georgia’s National Tourism Administration, in cooperation with China’s largest tourism exhibition, held a familiarization tour for representatives of the Chinese tourism industry and media, Imedi reported on March 13.
On March 24, Georgia Today reported that the Adjara Tourism Department had launched a major online marketing campaign in China to promote the region’s tourist destinations, cultural landmarks, gastronomy and experiences. The campaign was being carried out on popular Chinese social media platforms.
Additionally, on March 17, Bm.ge noted that from April 2026 to December 2027, $3.2 million would be spent on Georgia’s marketing in China.
Infrastructure Development and Chinese Participation
On March 31, Bm.ge reported that the call for proposals for the design and construction tender for a 7.5-kilometer tram line and depot announced by the Tbilisi Transport Company had ended.
The estimated cost of the tender was 416.6 million GEL, and four companies participated in it.
Among the participants were three Turkish and one Chinese municipal company – Wuhan Municipal Construction Group Co., Ltd.