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)
Read full publication: News from June 17 Georgian Ambassador to China gave a lecture at the Free University of Tbilisi On June 17, the Georgian Ambassador to China Archil Kalandia gave a lecture entitled "Georgia-China Trade and Economic Cooperation in Modern Reality" at the Free University of Tbilisi, campus information said. The event was held on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Georgia and China.
20.06.2022 – 26.06.2022 The Chinese Ambassador and Georgian ruling party representative discuss issues of deepening inter-parliamentary cooperation A photo from the meeting. Source: The Chinese Embassy in Georgia On June 21, the Ambassador of China to Georgia Zhou Qian met with the Head of the Georgia-China Parliamentary Friendship Group from the ruling Georgian Dream party Giorgi Amilakhvari, the Chinese Embassy in Georgia reported. At the meeting, the parties stressed the importance of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and discussed issues of deepening inter-parliamentary and education cooperation.
Armenia attaches "great importance" to the development of cooperation with China in the implementation of the BRI, Pashinyan says Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed that the development of dialogue and cooperation with China was important, PanArmenian reported on June 21. He also said that the Armenian side attached great importance to the development of dialogue and cooperation with China in the implementation of the Belt and Road "strategic initiative". Pashinyan made his comments at the session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Minsk speaking about logistics, which he said was another field that required digital solutions. "In this context, I would like to emphasize the need for the member states to work out agreed proposals for cooperation on creation and development of transport infrastructure, multi-module logistics centers and Eurasian transport corridors," Pashinyan said. Reportedly, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Mikhail Myasnikovich earlier said that the EAEU countries agreed on the need to develop the Eurasian transport corridors connecting Europe to Western China. According to him, there is a proposal to build a rail route in the south of Armenia.
The Chinese Ambassador and Armenia's Shirak Province Governor discuss the prospects of future cooperation A photo from the meeting. Source: Armenpress On June 24, Chinese Ambassador Fan Yong paid an official visit to Armenia's Shirak Province, and met with Governor Nazeli Baghdasaryan. According to the Armenpress report, the Ambassador attached importance to the cooperation between the two countries in the spheres of education, trade, tourism, and agriculture. "The most important thing is to be able to export the products of the Shirak Province to China so that the Chinese people can better recognize the Armenian products and Armenia," the Ambassador said. During the meeting with Nazeli Baghdasaryan, the two parties discussed the prospects of future cooperation. The Governor said that the delegation of Shirak Province had signed a memorandum of cooperation and mutual understanding with China's Hainan province in 2019. "Today we have the opportunity to further develop those relations," the Governor added. During the meeting, reference was made to the opening of the Chinese Confucius classroom in the Shirak Province, and issues related to the teaching of the Chinese language. Within the framework of his first official visit to Shirak Province, Fan Yong also visited Gyumri Municipality, where he was received by Deputy Mayor David Arushanyan.
In January-May 2022, China was Georgia's second-biggest trading partner In January-May 2022, China was Georgia's second-biggest trading partner with $783.1 million, which constituted 11.3% of total Georgian trade, Geostat reported on June 20. China was Georgia's top trading partner by exports, accounting for 17.2% of total exports, which was $362.8 million. Compared to the same period last year, that was a 38.4% growth. China was the third-biggest import partner of Georgia with $420.2 million (8.7% of total imports). Compared to January-May 2021, that was a 45.1% growth.
Azerbaijan launches a new service between Georgian and Romanian ports connecting China and Europe Azerbaijan Railways CJSC subsidiary ADY Container LLC launched a new service from Georgia's Batumi Port connecting China and Europe via the Middle Corridor, Azernews reported on June 22. Reportedly, a feeder vessel between the Georgian port of Batumi and the Romanian port of Constanta was launched as a joint project between ADY Container and Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO). The vessel, which would deliver containers from the Batumi Port to the Constanta Port and in the reverse direction, has six departures a month. According to the company, the new railway-sea connection will allow China and Europe to connect "quickly and efficiently" through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Romania.
Georgian Ambassador and the Beijing Language and Culture University discuss future cooperation A photo from the meeting. Source: The Embassy of Georgia in China On June 21, the Georgian Ambassador to China Archil Kalandia, held a meeting with the President of the Beijing Language and Culture University, Liu Li, at the Embassy of Georgia in China. During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, including "the need to intensify direct contacts" with relevant higher education institutions in Georgia and the possibility of establishing a Georgian Research Center on the basis of the University. Reportedly, the Ambassador and the President of the University agreed on coordinated work.
The Azerbaijan Trade House presented Azerbaijani product at the international exhibition in China The Azerbaijan Trade House in Qingdao presented "Made in Azerbaijan" brand products, including wine and other alcoholic beverages, pomegranate juice, compotes, jams and tea in a special pavilion at the international exhibition in Qingdao, Azertac reported on June 22.
Confucius Institute and Chinese Embassy competition was held in Tbilisi The 13th qualifying round of the Chinese Bridge student language competition was organized by the Embassy of China and the Confucius Institute at the Free University of Tbilisi, the latter Confucius Institute reported on June 21. The competition was held online.
Chinese Ambassador and Georgian representative discuss deepening cooperation within the BRI A photo from the meeting. Source: The Chinese Embassy in Georgia On June 21, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Qian held a meeting with the Co-Chairman of the Georgia-China Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation and the Partnership Fund CEO David Saganelidze, the Chinese Embassy in Georgia reported. At the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of deepening cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and investment within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. The Trade and Economic Advisor to the Embassy Zhao Chuan and the Deputy Executive Director of the Partnership Fund Giorgi Khelaia also attended the meeting.
Azerbaijani Embassy representative in China praises Chinese event The international media tour A Date with China 2022 with the theme of "digital China, beautiful China, and happy China" was launched in Ningxia, China, Chinanews reported on June 26. Reportedly, the Minister Counselor of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in China Ayyar Huseynov said, this would give the world a wider understanding of China and its "enormous economic opportunities, as well as its vast land, fascinating nature, and scenery, kind and hospitable people, ancient culture and civilization".
Chinese Embassy representative hopes to promote Chinese in the national education system of Azerbaijan A photo from the meeting. Source: Azertec The Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan Ding Tao led a delegation to visit the University of Languages in Azerbaijan, Azertac reported on June 22. Ding Tao thanked the University of Languages for its "strong support" for the preparation of the Chinese Bridge competition, and highly appraised the work of the Confucius Institute at the University. He said that the Embassy would continue to support the work of the Confucius Institute, and expressed hope to promote the Chinese in the national education system of Azerbaijan as soon as possible.
Confucius Institute and the Chinese Embassy hosted a competition in Azerbaijan The finals of the 15th Chinese Bridge student language competition in Azerbaijan, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan and undertaken by the Confucius Institute at the University of Languages in Azerbaijan was held, Azertac reported on June 20. |