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CHINA WATCH

China's Activities in the South Caucasus Issue 66, 12.09.2022 – 18.09.2022

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)

  • Xi Jinping tells SCO: We should guard against attempts by external forces to instigate 'color revolutions'
  • Xi Jinping to Aliyev: The two sides need to view and plan for bilateral relations from a strategic height
  • Chinese media targets Georgia's 2003 democratic revolution again
  • China supports the Minsk Group and Russia's role in dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia

 

Read full publication:

News from September 5

Chinese media targets Georgia's 2003 democratic revolution again

On September 5, Chinese media targeted Georgia's democratic Rose Revolution of 2003 once again. News China published a disinformation piece entitled "The United States instigates 'color revolutions' to damage world peace and stability".

The article claimed that "color revolutions" had become the US-developed political tactic: "After the end of the Cold War, the United States unbridledly practiced interventionism around the world, frequently inciting 'color revolutions. From the 'Rose Revolution' in Georgia to the 'Orange Revolution' in Ukraine, from the 'Tulip Revolution' in Kyrgyzstan to the 'Arab Spring' that affected many countries in the Middle East, the United States instigated public protests, supported NGOs, and used media and diplomatic means to impose pressure… A similar means of operation is well-tried by the United States".

 

12.09.2022 – 18.09.2022

Xi Jinping to Aliyev: The two sides need to view and plan for bilateral relations from a strategic height

Xi Jinping and Ilham Aliyev. Source: CGTN

On September 15, the Chairman of the CCP Xi Jinping met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Chinese MFA reported.

"China supports Azerbaijan's development path independently chosen by its people. The two sides need to view and plan for bilateral relations from a strategic height, increase strategic mutual trust, strengthen mutual support, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and work for steady, in-depth, and practical cooperation in various fields between the two countries," Chinese MFA wrote.  

Xi stressed that at the moment the international situation was undergoing profound and complex changes: "The more complex the situation is, the greater the need for the international community to strengthen solidarity and coordination. China welcomes Azerbaijan to join China in implementing the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. The two sides need to expand trade, improve the trade mix, increase the number of China-Europe Express freight train services, and ensure unimpeded international supply chains".

Xi Jinping expressed confidence that the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Azerbaijan enjoyed broad prospects.

"China supports Azerbaijan in conducting cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), to work together for security, stability, development, and prosperity in the region," Chinese MFA said.

According to Aliyev, Azerbaijan and China are true strategic partners. He noted that the two sides maintained close communication in international affairs, and that bilateral cooperation was advancing steadily.

"Azerbaijan thanks China for providing COVID-19 vaccines, which fully demonstrates the spirit of solidarity that China has always advocated. Azerbaijan will take the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to deepen practical cooperation in various fields. Azerbaijan adheres to the one-China policy, firmly supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, firmly opposes any actions that interfere in China's internal affairs or split China, and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests. The Azerbaijani side supports the GSI and GDI proposed by the Chinese side, and will actively engage in Belt and Road cooperation with the Chinese side," the Chinese MFA report said.

According to the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Beijing, Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan was carrying out large-scale reconstruction work in the regained territories. "Many Chinese companies had also applied for participation in these operations. Azerbaijan supports an active involvement of Chinese companies in these projects," the Azerbaijani Embassy wrote.

Meanwhile, Xi Jinping stated that his country supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and noted that China appreciated the support Azerbaijan had shown for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of China.

Reportedly, they also pointed out "great prospects" for the development of Azerbaijan-China economic and trade relations, increasing trade, promoting investment, and cooperation in energy, agriculture, transport, logistics, e-commerce, automobile transportation and other fields, increasing student exchange, and stepping up direct relations between the cities of the two countries.

 

Chinese MFA hopes that Azerbaijan and Armenia will "resolve tensions and differences through political dialogue"

On September 16, Chinese Foreign Ministry Speaker Mao Ning was asked by Dragon TV about armed conflicts that broke out between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops and if China had any comments about the issue.

"Azerbaijan and Armenia are both China's friendly cooperation partners. We hope the two sides will observe the agreed ceasefire, avoid further escalation of the situation, and resolve tensions and differences through political dialogue so that there can be peace and stability in the region and the people can live in peace," the Chinese representative answered.

 

Xi Jinping to SCO: We should guard against attempts by external forces to instigate 'color revolution'

On September 16, at the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the CCP Chairman Xi Jinping addressed attendees that they should oppose "attempts by external forces to instigate 'color revolution'".

Xi Jinping said the following: "First, we need to enhance mutual support. We should strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communication, deepen mutual understanding and political trust, and support each other in our efforts to uphold security and development interests. We should guard against attempts by external forces to instigate 'color revolution', jointly oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs under any pretext, and hold our future firmly in our own hands".

Shanghai Cooperation Organization has six dialogue partners, including Armenia and Azerbaijan.

 

China and Armenia discuss prospects of direct flights

A photo from the meeting. Source: News.am

Deputy Economy Ministers of Armenia Ani Ispiryan and Armen Arzumanyan received the delegation headed by Chinese Ambassador to Armenia Fan Yong, News.am reported on September 16.

Reportedly, the meeting focused on expanding cooperation in various sectors of the economy, including prospects for establishing direct flights between Armenia and China, which would "promote tourism development, as well as strengthen business ties."

According to the report, at the meeting, it was also suggested to consider the possibility of organizing joint exhibitions.

 

Chinese delegation supports the Minsk Group and Russia's role in dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia

China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations expressed concern "over recent armed conflicts and casualties in the border region of Armenia and Azerbaijan", United Nations reported on September 15. According to him, maintaining regional peace and stability is in the interests of both countries.

Reportedly, Geng Shuang "urged" them to exercise restraint and resolve problems and differences through political dialogue. He also expressed hope that the two sides would abide by the ceasefire agreement.

"Armenia and Azerbaijan set up a border demarcation committee last May, he noted, stressing that normalization of relations between the countries is inseparable from settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue," the report said. Also, "acknowledging the historical development of that issue", he welcomed the tripartite joint statement reached by Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in November 2020, and reportedly his delegation would continue "to support the Minsk Group and the good offices of the Russian Federation".

"Armenia and Azerbaijan are inseparable neighbors, and maintaining stable bilateral relations and resolving differences through dialogue and consultation is in the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples and for regional stability," the report said.

 

Georgian Ambassador to China expresses hope that a Georgian research center will open in a Chinese University

Archil Kalandia. Source: The Embassy of Georgia in China

On September 16, on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Beijing Language and Culture University, an event was held where the Ambassador of Georgia, Archil Kalandia, was invited as an honored guest, the Embassy of Georgia in China reported on September 16.

Kalandia drew attention to the close cooperation between the Embassy of Georgia and the Beijing Language and Culture University. He also expressed hope that next year, as a result of joint efforts, a research center of Georgia would be opened at the university, which would "contribute to the intensification of bilateral contacts in the field of education".

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