CHINA WATCH

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 company to participate in the construction of Azerbaijan's thermal power plant
• Chinese Ambassador and Armenian MPs discuss cooperation
• In January, China was the third-biggest import partner of Azerbaijan

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Chinese company to participate in the construction of Azerbaijan's thermal power plant

At "the groundbreaking ceremony" of a new 1,280-megawatt power plant in Mingachevir, Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev, said that a Chinese company would participate in the construction of the station, the President of Azerbaijan website reported on February 13.

"We will build this station together with foreign partners. Today's ceremony is attended by the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy. I sincerely welcome the distinguished guest. At the same time, a Chinese company will participate in the construction of this station..." he said.

President Aliyev expects the opening of the plant in 2025.

Chinese Ambassador and Armenian MPs discuss cooperation

Fan Yong and Hakob Arshakyan. Source: Radar Armenia

On February 16, the Deputy Speaker of Armenia's National Assembly and the Head of the Armenia-China Friendship Group, Hakob Arshakyan, met with the Chinese Ambassador to Armenia, Fan Yong. A member of the Armenia-China friendship group, Babken Tunyan, also took part in the meeting, Radar Armenia reported on February 16.

Arshakyan emphasized that China was one of Armenia's essential partners and said that "the historical friendship" between the two countries was developing in many ways. He pointed out the role of inter-parliamentary cooperation in this process.

Reportedly, on "the blockade of the Lachin Corridor and the humanitarian consequences caused by it", the Deputy Speaker said that such a step contradicted "the fulfillment of the obligations assumed by the tripartite declaration of November 9, 2020”, and noted that international partners “should clearly and directly condemn it”. The Chinese Ambassador highlighted the settlement of the problem peacefully and diplomatically and said that they were ready to support the solution together with international organizations.

Babken Tunyan also spoke about the importance of the Chinese business community investing in Armenia. The report said that he considered it "necessary to clarify future actions and to have a preliminary road map of the upcoming activities".

Fan Yong emphasized the activation of parliamentary contacts since Covid-19 restrictions had eased. Arshakyan expressed his willingness to make maximum efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

In January, China was the third-biggest import partner of Azerbaijan

In January 2023, China was Azerbaijan's third biggest import partner with 12.91% of the imports, Azernews reported on February 17.

Reportedly, China accounted for 5.84% of Azerbaijan's total trade turnover.

Chinese Embassy to support the teaching of the Chinese language in Armenia

On February 15, the Chinese Ambassador to Armenia, Fan Yong, was invited to the Chinese New Year event, organized by the Anton Chekhov Yerevan School, the Chinese Embassy in Armenia reported. The Embassy in Armenia also wrote that it would continue to support the teaching of the Chinese language and the spreading of Chinese culture in Armenia.