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
Chinese-made drone at Armenia’s military parade
Armenia marked the Republic Day with a military parade in Yerevan, showcasing newly acquired military equipment from China, India, France and Iran, The Armenian Report wrote on May 28.
Armenia demonstrated Chinese-made CH-4 long-range drones during the parade.
Confucius Institute
The Chinese Bridge competition, held under the slogan “One World, One Family”, took place on May 13, Armenpress reported. The event had been initiated by the Chinese Embassy in Armenia and coordinated by the Confucius Institute of the Valery Brusov State University in Yerevan.
“I am pleased to note that in recent years we have seen steady growth in this direction, reflected in the highly effective work of the Confucius Institute in Armenia, the Armenian-Chinese Friendship School and the scholarship programme provided to our country by our Chinese partners”, Armenian Deputy Education Minister Artur Danielyan said.
Other
- On May 25, Armenia’s second President and candidate for Prime Minister from the “Hayastan” bloc Robert Kocharyan stated that, in the best-case scenario, the guarantors of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan could be the United States, China and Russia.
- In 2026, the Days of Armenian Culture will be held in China, News.am reported on May 13. The announcement was made by Armenian Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Artur Martirosyan at the opening of the Armenian stage of the global “Chinese Bridge” competition.
Azerbaijan-China
Education
- Azerbaijan’s Academy of Public Administration and the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation, Azertac reported on May 14.
Before the signing ceremony, a delegation led by the New Azerbaijan Party Deputy Chairman Tahir Budagov met with a Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Xie Chuntao.
They expressed confidence that the implementation of the memorandum would pave the way for “significant achievements” in public administration, strategic planning and personnel training through the exchange of experience in areas of mutual interest.
- A “Protocol of Intent on Cooperation” was signed between China’s Tongji University and Azerbaijan Technical University, Azertac reported on May 25.
Strengthening cooperation
- The CCP Chairman Xi Jinping congratulated Azerbaijan on its Independence Day, Caliber reported on May 25.
In his letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Xi stressed the importance Beijing attaches to relations with Baku and expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation further.
- Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York to discuss further development of bilateral relations, as well as cooperation on regional and international issues, Azernews reported on May 27.
Bayramov expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for organizing the UN Security Council open debate “on maintaining international peace and security and strengthening the UN-centred international system”.
The ministers noted “strong potential” for cooperation in trade, investment, transport and logistics, energy security, green energy, industry, digital technologies, agriculture, science, education and humanitarian initiatives.
BRI
On May 28, an official reception was held in Beijing on the occasion of the Independence Day of Azerbaijan.
In his remarks, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to China Bunyad Huseynov said that cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative positioned Azerbaijan as one of the key participating countries.
“The initiative by the President of Azerbaijan to reopen the Zangezur Corridor after many years will be the country’s next contribution to the Belt and Road project in the future”, he said.
Tourism
- From January to April 2026, the number of visitors travelling from China to Azerbaijan increased by 9.5% compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of 14,303 people, Azertac reported on May 27.
- The Azerbaijan Tourism Board opened a representative office in Beijing, Azertac reported on May 29.
- A series of promotional events began in the Chinese cities of Xi’an, Shanghai and Beijing, organised by the Azerbaijan Tourism Board with the participation of six local tourism industry representatives, Azertac reported on May 27.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization Development Bank
On May 5, during a meeting between Azerbaijan’s Deputy Finance Minister Himalay Mamishov and representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Finance, China invited Azerbaijan to consider joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Development Bank.
Confucius Institute
The final of the 25th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students was held in Azerbaijan, People’s Daily reported on May 26. It was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan and hosted by the Confucius Institute at the Baku State University.
The Chinese Bridge competition had taken root in Azerbaijan for more than a decade and had become an important mechanism for enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries, Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Lu Mei said.
Georgia-China
A meeting with Wang Huning
On May 18, Georgia’s Parliament Speaker from the Georgian Dream Shalva Papuashvili met with the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Huning.
“Georgia and China share a common commitment to defending national sovereignty, peace and security, as well as upholding the principles of international law and mutual respect in international relations”, he told Wang.
The two sides expressed their willingness to deepen relations between their countries. It was also noted that cooperation between Georgia and China had great potential in all areas.
Georgia’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative was also discussed, as well as the need to better utilize the potential of the Middle Corridor.
People’s Daily reported that Wang said China was willing for the two countries to firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests, deepen and expand cooperation in traditional and emerging fields and strengthen multilateral communication and coordination.
Among other points, Papuashvili said that the Georgian side firmly adhered to the One-China principle.
China thanks Georgia for its long-standing support of China’s position
China is willing to work with Georgia to continuously enrich the connotation of the China-Georgia strategic partnership, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Zhao Leji said.
On May 19, People’s Daily reported that during his meeting with Georgia’s Parliament Speaker from the Georgian Dream Shalva Papuashvili, Zhao said the following: “China will, as always, support Georgia in following a development path independently chosen by its people and in line with its national conditions, and oppose external forces’ interference in Georgia’s internal affairs”.
Zhao expressed readiness to expand China’s cooperation with Georgia in artificial intelligence, digital economy and green energy, as well as encourage more capable Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Georgia.
According to Zhao, the two sides should closely coordinate within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations.
People’s Daily reported that the NPC of China was willing to deepen exchanges and cooperation with the Georgian Parliament, and “create a favourable legal environment for bilateral practical cooperation”.
Paupashvili expressed willingness to participate in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese language statement on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website also included the following: “The Chinese side thanks the Georgian side for its long-standing support of China’s position on issues concerning Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and human rights”.
“As for the cooperation between legislative bodies, Papuashvili said that the Georgian Parliament is willing to deepen friendly exchanges with the NPC of China, enhance the public opinion foundation for friendly relations between the two countries and make contributions of the legislative body to promoting the development of Georgia-China relations”, People’s Daily wrote.
Georgian Dream Delegation in China
- On May 20, Georgia’s Parliament Speaker from the Georgian Dream Shalva Papuashvili said that the first official visit to China by a Speaker of the Georgian Parliament in the past 20 years had taken place. Georgian Dream delegation reportedly met with their Chinese counterparts as well as “circles that carry significant influence over political decision-making”.
According to Papuashvili, they discussed “the challenges facing the world today, including violations of the principles of international security and international law”.
“It is clear that the Chinese authorities and we share an absolutely identical outlook: every country must return to a respect for international law and the principle of peaceful coexistence must remain paramount”, he added.
- On May 20, during his meeting with the Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee Zhao Yide, Georgia’s Parliament Speaker from the Georgian Dream Shalva Papuashvili stated the following: “As you noted, Shaanxi and Xi’an are the starting point of the Silk Road and this holds particular significance for Georgia as well. Historically, Georgia was part of the Silk Road and today it forms part of the Trans-Caspian route, the so-called Middle Corridor”.
He also said that China serves as “one of the most inspiring examples” for Georgia: “Over the past five years, Georgia’s economy has grown at an average rate of around 9 per cent. This robust growth has enabled the economy to nearly triple in size over the past decade. Unemployment, which stood at 30 per cent ten years ago, has fallen to 9 per cent this year and our goal is to bring it down to 3-4 per cent by 2028. Over the same period, GDP per capita has risen from approximately 4,500-5,000 dollars in 2020 to over 10,000 dollars this year. This shows that we are following a path of rapid development, drawing on the example set by China”.
He noted that a reform of the education system was underway in Georgia, adding that Georgia’s Minister of Education would soon visit China and meet with Chinese counterparts: “I wish to note here as well that we have a strong desire to cooperate and exchange experience in the field of education… China’s education system is considered one of the most advanced and high-quality in the world”.
Congratulatory messages
- On May 26, the CCP Chairman Xi Jinping congratulated Georgia’s President from the Georgian Dream party Mikheil Kavelashvlili on Georgia’s Independence Day.
He said that relations between China and Georgia were currently strengthening, with political ties continuing to deepen and strategic cooperation gaining new substance.
Xi expressed readiness to work with Kavelashvlili to take bilateral relations to new heights.
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in his congratulatory message, said that since the establishment of the China-Georgia strategic partnership, mutual political trust between the two countries had been further strengthened, cooperation in various fields had accelerated and coordination on international issues had become more effective.
- Chinese Premier Li Qiang congratulated Georgia’s Prime Minister from the Georgian Dream Irakli Kobakhidze on Georgia’s Independence Day on May 26, Postv reported.
He noted that bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative had yielded fruitful results and expressed readiness “to work together to deepen the cooperation between” the two countries and “elevate China-Georgia relations to a higher level”.
Trade
In January-April 2026, China was Georgia’s third-largest trading partner, accounting for 11.5% of its total trade, with total China-Georgia trade turnover reaching around $933 million, Geostat reported on May 19.
Exports to China increased significantly, making it the second-largest export destination at $255 million (10.5% of total exports), with a year-on-year growth rate of 193.3%.
China also held a strong position in imports to Georgia as the third-largest import partner, with $678 million (11.9% share of total imports). Import growth year-on-year stood at 22% compared to the same period in 2025.
The Chairman of the People’s Power Party on China
- The Chairman of the People’s Power Party and Vice-Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Sozar Subari said that in the modern world, “it is very difficult to overestimate China’s role in global politics or its position in the global economy. Especially for countries like ours, deep relations with China are extremely important”, PosTV reportedon May 18.
He also added that “European and American leaders, through their close contacts with China, are pouring cold water on the loud statements of Georgian radicals about the impossibility of relations with China”.
- The Chairman of the People’s Power Party and Vice-Speaker of Georgian Parliament Sozar Subari participated in a meeting in China, Postv reported on May 20.
He said that he had held “very serious meetings during the three days, both in the capital and in the provinces”.
Subari noted that China was the world’s leading economy and had “great political weight”, adding that it was very important for Georgia to have close relations with it.
Other
- On May 14, former MP from Georgian Dream party Beka Natsvlishvili commented on U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China and noted: “I believe that China will become a defining force in the future world order, which is currently forming. It is clear that the era of unilateral U.S. dominance has ended and no matter how pro-American or obsessed with America someone may be, they also realise this, because China is becoming a defining force of the world order. Everyone thinks that the rules of the game must be agreed with it today”.
In an Interpressnews interview, Natsvlishvili added the following: “We must recognise China’s growing power and benefit from it. We need to take swift steps, whether it is the Anaklia port or the entry of Chinese investment on a mutually beneficial basis”.
- On May 25, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development from the Georgian Dream Irakli Nadareishvili inspected Georgia’s stand preparations ahead of ITB China 2026 in Shanghai, where Georgia participated as a partner country.
- On May 19, Georgia’s Parliament Speaker from the Georgian Dream Shalva Papuashvili delivered a speech at the China Foreign Affairs University. Other Georgian Dream officials were also present.