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CHINA WATCH

China's Activities in the South Caucasus Issue 51, 30.05.2022 – 5.06.2022

Author: 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)

  • New Chinese Ambassador to make "unremitting efforts for the deepening of China-Georgia cooperation"
  • Azerbaijan and China discuss activities on green energy projects
  • Chinese Ambassador welcomes Armenia to China's Global Security Initiative
  • Georgia attaches great importance to the development of Georgia-China relations, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister says
  • Deputy Chair of Foreign Relations Committee in Armenia's National Assembly published a pro-Beijing article
  • Chinese Ambassador to Georgia hopes that students learning Chinese "devote themselves to the cause" of China-Georgia cooperation

 

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Omitted news from May 23

New Chinese Ambassador to make "unremitting efforts for the deepening of China-Georgia cooperation"

Zhou Qian. Source: The Chinese Embassy in Georgia

On May 23, the Chinese Embassy website in Georgia shared a message from a newly appointed Ambassador of China to Georgia, Zhou Qian.

"The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Georgia will continue to make unremitting efforts for the deepening of China-Georgia cooperation and consolidating of traditional friendship," Zhou Qian wrote.

He noted that since June 9, 1992, when China and Georgia established diplomatic ties, the two were always "good friends of trust and genuine partners for cooperation". Zhou Qian wrote that for the past few years, the two sides worked together to construct the Belt and Road Initiative and "the mutually beneficial communication and cooperation" in various fields yielded "substantial achievements". The Ambassador stated that the development of China-Georgia relations enjoyed a promising future.

 

30.05.2022 – 5.06.2022

The new Ambassador of China to "further advance the development of China-Georgia relations"

Zhou Qian and Salome Zurabishvili. Source: The Chinese Embassy in Georgia

On June 3, Ambassador of China to Georgia Zhou Qian presented the Letter of Credence to President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili, the Chinese Embassy in Georgia reported.

Ambassador Zhou Qian conveyed "the cordial greetings and good wishes" from the CCP Chairman Xi Jinping to Salome Zurabishvili, and noted that China and Georgia had longstanding friendship.

He said that the Chinese side was willing to work with the Georgian side to actively develop "friendly relations and cooperation" between the two countries.

The Embassy stated that the Ambassador would spare no effort to "further advance the development of China-Georgia relations".

Zurabishvili remarked that Georgia attached great importance to China-Georgia relations, and was willing to join efforts in order to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields and achieve more fruitful results.

Reportedly, the Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia Natia Sulava, the Deputy Foreign Minister Teimuraz Janjalia, the Advisor to the President of Georgia Liana Jervalidze, and the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of China in Georgia Zhao Chuanyi also attended the ceremony.

 

Azerbaijan and China discuss activities on green energy projects

A photo from the meeting. Source: Azernews

Azerbaijani and Chinese sides discussed realized activities for the implementation of green energy projects in Azerbaijan, Azernews reported on June 3. The parties discussed the business and investment climate in Azerbaijan and the work done to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting was held between Azerbaijan's Export and Investment Promotion Agency Head Yusif Abdullayev with the newly-appointed Economic and Trade Adviser at the Chinese Embassy in Baku, Ma Chi.

They also discussed the participation of Azerbaijani companies in the 5th China International Import Expo that will be held in Shanghai on November 5-10.

 

Dubai Silicon Oasis Digital Park China Center delegation met with the representatives of Georgia

On May 25, the delegation of Dubai Silicon Oasis Digital Park China Center delegation was invited by the government of Georgia's Autonomous Republic of Adjara to conduct a five-day business inspection, Chinese state-run newspaper Economic Information Daily reported. During this visit, business talks were held with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, and a meeting was held with Adjara's Minister of Finance and Economy Jaba Phutkaradze and the Vice-Governor of the National Bank of Georgia Papuna Lezhava. Reportedly, "a deep consensus" was reached on the common development of the two sides, industrial park's "double recruitment and introduction".

"We will... set up… business and trade platform between China and Georgia so that enterprises will have more choices and thus a deeper understanding of Georgia to enter Georgia," the Chairman of the China Center said.

According to the report, during the visit, "the relevant person in charge" introduced the global business sector, development and construction direction, and digital economy industry layout of China Center to the Georgian officials. The China Center expressed its willingness to play "a bridge role for friendly exchanges" between the two countries and promote the investment and development of Chinese enterprises in Georgia. According to the report, further promoting cooperation in various fields to achieve common development was also discussed.

 

Georgia attaches great importance to the development of Georgia-China relations, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister says

Zhou Qian and Alexander Khvtisiashvili. Source: The Chinese Embassy in Georgia

On June 2, the newly-appointed Ambassador of China to Georgia Zhou Qian presented the copy of his Letter of Credence to Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia Alexander Khvtisiashvili, the Chinese Embassy in Georgia reported.

Alexander Khvtisiashvili noted that Georgia attached great importance to the development of relations between Georgia and China, and was grateful for "China's valuable support in the fight against the pandemic".

The Ambassador said that relations between the two countries maintained good momentum of development, practical cooperation in various fields made solid progress and mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples continuously deepened.

"The Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts with the Georgian side to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as a new starting point, in order to enhance friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and further advance the development of China-Georgia relations," the Embassy wrote.

 

Deputy Chair of Foreign Relations Committee in Armenia's National Assembly published a pro-Beijing article

On June 2, the Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly of Armenia, Hayk Mamijanyan from the Republican Party of Armenia, published a pro-Beijing article on a Chinese news website entitled "Based on national conditions, firmly walk the socialism with Chinese characteristics path".

"We believe that under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, China will continue to push forward sustainable development and upgrade its international influence. We also believe that the continuous development and strengthening of China is in the interests of Armenia," he wrote.

Mamijanyan also noted that it was "very important" for Armenia to enhance connectivity with China. According to Mamijanyan, the construction of new communications and transportation lines can not only improve the traffic conditions in Armenia, but also promote local economic development and contribute to promoting connectivity between countries in the region.

"Armenia is willing to carry on the Silk Road spirit and actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation," he added.

In the article, he also praised and talked positively about China's development, "elimination of absolute poverty", educational achievements, multilateralism, and its "successfully" holding of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

 

Chinese Ambassador welcomes Armenia in China's Global Security Initiative

On May 31, the Chinese Ambassador to Armenia, Fan Yong published an article in the newspaper Republic of Armenia entitled "Global Security Initiative - Analyzing 'China's plan' to Solve the Problems of World Security", Chinese Embassy in Armenia reported.

The Ambassador shared his opinion on the CCP Chairman Xi Jinping's proposed Global Security Initiative and welcomed Armenia to it.

"All countries in the region, including Armenia, are welcome to actively support and participate in the initiative, work together with the Chinese side to safeguard and implement genuine multilateralism, promote the building of a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security framework… mobilize global resources, coordinate global actions, jointly address security threats and challenges, create a good security environment for deepening regional cooperation…"

 

Chinese Ambassador to Georgia hopes that students learning Chinese "devote themselves to the cause" of China-Georgia cooperation

Zhou Qian. Source: The Confucius Institute at the Alte University

On June 5, in the Georgia finals of the 15th Chinese Bridge - Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students, hosted by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation and the Chinese Embassy in Georgia, and co-organized by the Confucius Institute at the Alte University, was held.

The Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qian expressed hope that students could make achievements in their studies and "devote themselves to the cause of China-Georgia friendship and cooperation in the future, explore opportunities for their own development, and add splendor to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries".

Zhou Qian said that China and Georgia were traditionally friendly countries, and over the past 30 years China-Georgia relations had been developing steadily with closer cooperation in various fields. He said that June 9, which marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Georgia, was a new starting point for the future development of China-Georgia relations.

 

EurAsiaAz director published a pro-Beijing article in Chinese media

On May 31, the director of the international expert club EurAsiaAz and editor-in-chief of Azerbaijan news agency Baku Tribune Seymur Mammadov published a pro-Beijing and anti-Western article about China's genocidal policies in Xinjiang in Chinese state media outlet China Daily entitled 'Xinjiang allegations falling on deaf ears'.

"Recently, a new round of hysteria began in the Western media about the alleged genocide of the Uygur population of China... Aggressive, unsubstantiated criticism of China is a characteristic feature of the Western media," he claims.

He claimed that Western media's "fake news about vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang" was "common practice".

On concentration camps and forced labor centers he stated that the main purpose of "these centers was to provide employment for the Uygur population and improve their education".

According to Mammadov, Chinese government subsidies allowed Xinjiang to "embark on a rapid economic development path and directly contributed to improving the living standards of the local people" and "as a result of the measures taken by the Chinese government, Xinjiang's economy is developing at a stable pace".

Mammadov claimed that Xinjiang was on the path to prosperity - "The authorities are doing everything to pull people out of darkness, where extremist currents are trying to keep them. The actions of the authorities are not a struggle against religion, but for the future of the Uygur population, who deserve a better future".

He once again attacked the West and defended China's genocidal policies: "China focuses on Xinjiang's development without being distracted by ridiculous Western claims. Beijing does not harm anyone, but only wants Chinese citizens to live safe, happy lives, while Washington commits grave crimes in the name of "fighting terrorism". It is time for the West to look at their own problems instead of pointing the finger elsewhere".

 

Armenian scholar continues to publish a pro-Beijing articles in Chinese media 

A propagandist cartoon for the article on which it's written: "NGO", "Media", "Think tank", "Xinjiang rumor". Source: China Daily

On May 31, the chairman of the Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies in Yerevan, Benyamin Poghosyan, once again published a pro-Beijing and anti-Western article in the Chinese state media outlet China Daily.

As part of whitewashing China's genocidal policies, he wrote: "In the past 20 years, some Western countries led by the United Kingdom and the United States have suppressed China everywhere, falsely declared that China has violated human rights in Xinjiang and used this as an excuse to implement various sanctions on China". He claimed that the "actual situation" in Xinjiang was "completely different from what the US media has played up".

According to Poghosyan, US's attempts to contain China and lobby another country to take action against China will "negatively influence regional and global security and reduce the possibility of joint action to address common challenges".

He claimed that there was "no doubt" that criticizing China's Xinjiang "for the sake of geopolitical interests" would not have any positive impact - "Abandoning the Cold War thinking and seeking cooperation is the only reliable way to better protect global human rights".

 

Huawei completes a program in Armenia

On June 1, an online closing ceremony of Huawei's 2nd season of Seeds for Future Program was held, Armenpress reported.

The Armenian Deputy Minister of Education and Science Arthur Martirosyan, Director of Union of Operators of Armenia NGO, Kristine Gyonjyan, Huawei Technologies Armenia company Director Chen Liang and others gave speeches.

"I am convinced that the seeds that were planted will bring a rich harvest in the future, for you and the Republic of Armenia and the relations with the People's Republic of China," the Director of Huawei Technologies Armenia, Chen Liang said.

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