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CHINA WATCH

China's Activities in the South Caucasus Issue 61, 8.08.2022 – 14.08.2022

ავტორი: Medea Ivaniadze

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 175th out of 180 countries)

  • Chinese Ambassador held press conference on the Taiwan issue for Georgian media
  • Armenia reiterates support for the One China principle
  • Chinese Ambassador thanks Georgian Foreign Minister for always upholding the One China principle
  • Georgian Finance Minister and Chinese Ambassador discuss joint projects
  • Azerbaijan's Confucius Institute's indoctrination about Taiwan issue

 

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Armenia reiterates support for the One China principle

The speaker for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vahan Hunanyan stated that Armenia supported the One China principle, Armradio reported on August 9.

"Armenia has repeatedly expressed its position that it supports the One China principle. Our position is unchanged," he said. Reportedly, the comments followed the recent events concerning the Taiwan issue.

 

Georgian Finance Minister and Chinese Ambassador discuss joint projects

A photo from the meeting. Source: Agenda/Georgian Finance Ministry

On August 9, the Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili and the Chinese Ambassador Zhou Qian held a meeting discussing questions of trade and economic cooperation between Georgia and China, Agenda reported.

The two sides focused on the ongoing and implemented projects, facilitated with the financial and technical support of China, including those being carried out at the Georgian Revenue Service.

They also mentioned the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Georgia and expressed hope that the partnership would "continue successfully".

 

Chinese Ambassador thanks Georgian Foreign Minister for always upholding the One China principle

Zhou Qian and Ilia Darchiashvili. Source: The Chinese Embassy in Georgia

On August 13, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian met with Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchashvili exchanging views on bilateral relations, pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and regional situation. According to the Chinese Embassy report, the Ambassador thanked the Georgian side "for always upholding the One China principle", and said that as the new Ambassador, he would actively perform his duties and take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Georgia as an opportunity to continue to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative and "constantly push forward the development of China-Georgia relations".

The Minister thanked China for "its support" in Georgia's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that Georgia attached great importance to developing friendly relations with China and was willing "to make joint efforts with China to achieve more pragmatic cooperation and continuously bring benefits to both countries" and their people.

 

Chinese Ambassador held press conference on the Taiwan issue for Georgian media

A photo from the press conference. Source: The Embassy of China to Georgia

On August 10, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian held a press conference for the Georgian media on the visit of the US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Representatives of Imedi, Mtavari Channel, First Channel, Maestro, Palitra News and other media attended the press conference. Zhou Qian presented China's view of the situation and answered the journalists' questions.

The Ambassador criticized the US and defended China's vision. He expressed hope that "the sides"  would consider the causes and meaning of the current crisis, "jointly confront US adventures and provocations, continue to support China's legitimate position and measures, jointly maintain peace in the region and the strait, and jointly uphold the basic norms of international relations based on the goals and principles of the UN Charter".

 

Chinese MFA comments on Azerbaijan and Armenia

On August 8, the speaker for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Wenbin was asked for comments about the recent fire exchange between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops. He answered the following: "Azerbaijan and Armenia are both friendly cooperation partners of China. We hope both sides can comply with the ceasefire consensus, avoid further escalation of the situation and address tensions and differences through political dialogue".

 

Nizami Ganjavi International Center welcomed Chinese Ambassador

Rovshan Muradov, Secretary General of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and Ambassador Guo Min. Source: Nizami Ganjavi International Center

On August 11, Nizami Ganjavi International Center reported that it welcomed the Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Guo Min to the center to discuss China's participation at the 10th Global Baku Forum 2023 and other activities of the Center.

 

Xinhua quotes editor-in-chief of NewsDay Georgia on Taiwan

On August 12, Chinese state media Xinhua reported that China had published a white paper entitled The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era which "attracted broad global attention".

The editor-in-chief of news agency NewsDay Georgia Avtandil Otinashvili said that in the current complicated international situation the white paper had made "a clear elaboration" on China's major policies in advancing national reunification. He added that from the white paper, the world could "fully feel China's utmost sincerity in striving for peaceful national reunification".

 

Chinese Embassy reports the statement of Armenia's Republican party on Taiwan

On August 9, the Chinese Embassy in Armenia reported the comment of the Vice President and the Chairman of the ideological committee of the Republican party of Armenia Mushegh Lalayan. Reportedly, while commenting on the latest developments around Taiwan to 24News, Lalayan said that there was only one China in the world.

 

Azerbaijan's Confucius Institute's indoctrination about Taiwan issue

On August 11, Azertac reported that the Director of the Azerbaijani side of the Confucius Institute at Azerbaijan's University of Languages, Rafiq Abbasov, gave a lecture on Taiwan's History from Ancient Times to Present in the summer online lecture courses about China: Society and Culture.

"The One China principle is the foundation of China's national interests, it is the generally acknowledged basic norm of international relations, it is the general consensus of the international community, and it is also the political basis for China's relations with other countries and it is a red line that should not be stepped over," Abbasov said.

 

The Confucius Institute held cultural events in Batumi

The Confucius Institute at the Alte University in Tbilisi held cultural events on the Europe Square in Batumi, Georgia, Alte University reported on August 11.

 

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