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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 179th out of 180 countries)
Read the full publication: A CCP official met with an Azerbaijani delegation On May 29, the Chinese state-controlled china.org.cn reported that the Head of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee, Liu Jianchao met with a delegation led by Tahir Budagov, the Deputy Chairman and Head of the Central Office of the New Azerbaijan Party. Reportedly, Liu had an in-depth discussion with them on "strengthening inter-party exchanges and mutual trust, boosting the development of state-to-state relations, and promoting regional peace and cooperation".
Georgian PM characterizes China's "mediation" between Ukraine and Russia as "wise" On May 24, during the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, characterized China's "mediation" between Ukraine and Russia as "wise". "What China has been trying to do during this crisis [in Ukraine], I think this is a pretty wise move because China has been trying to mediate between Ukraine and Russia," Agenda reported Garibashvili saying. "I would welcome all efforts from any country, any leader who would encourage peace talks, who would mediate negotiations and try to do something, make some efforts to end this [war]. I am generally pro-peace, I am pro-state stability, and I am pro-negotiations," he added. Garibashvili also said that his country had "very good" relations with China, and noted the free trade agreement between the countries as a sign of "increasing" ties. The PM’s comment was also reported by China’s state-controlled Chinanews.
The possibility of launching direct flights from China to Armenia discussed
A photo from the meeting. Source: Armenia International Airports
On May 24, Armenia International Airports CJSC Director, Marcelo Wende, and the General Manager, Sergey Avetisyan, received the delegation of China Southern Airlines headed by the Deputy Director General, Gan Jiang, Armenia International Airports reported. Reportedly, the two sides discussed the possibility of launching direct flights from China to Armenia. The airport management expressed readiness to support the service of the upcoming flights.
China is ready to strive for continuous progress in China-Azerbaijan relations, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister says
Ma Zhaoxu at the event. Source: China.org.cn
On May 28, the Embassy of Azerbaijan to China held a reception in Beijing to celebrate Azerbaijan’s Independence Day, the Chinese state-controlled China.org.cn reported. Guests from government agencies including the Deputy Foreign Minister of China, Ma Zhaoxu, attended the event. In his speech, Ma said that China was ready to work with Azerbaijan to fully implement "the important common understandings reached between" the leaders of the two countries, to "keep raising the quality and level" of their "mutually beneficial cooperation, and strive for continuous progress in China-Azerbaijan relations". The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to China, Akram Zeynalli, said that Azerbaijan considered expanding and deepening its cooperation with China as one of the main priorities of its foreign policy. "Azerbaijan is keen to cooperate with the Chinese partners to attract more investment to its open and transparent market, where entrance requirements are quite easy, and the business climate is continuously improving through diverse reforms and policies," Zeynalli said. He also noted that the Belt and Road Initiative brought "vast opportunities and dividends to the participating countries in terms of trade, investment, infrastructure, transportation, etc".
Armenia and China signed an agreement on the construction of a new TV pavilion of the Public Television of Armenia
A photo from the event. Source: The Ministry of High Tech Industry of Armenia
On June 2, the Government of Armenia and the Government of China signed an agreement on the implementation of the construction project of the new 8th pavilion of the Public Television of Armenia, the Ministry of High Tech Industry of Armenia reported. Reportedly, the 8th pavilion will be "the first new production infrastructure of the Public TV Company in the period of Armenia’s independence, in which a studio with an area of 1000 square meters will operate". The construction of the pavilion is planned to be completed within 26 months.
Armenia to appoint trade representatives to China On May 30, speaking at parliamentary discussions on the budget report, the Minister of Economy of Armenia, Vahan Kerobyan, said that the Armenian government would soon appoint trade representatives to China, Germany, and the United States, Armenpress reported. He said that they were planning to develop trade turnover with these countries. Reportedly, currently, Armenia has trade representatives only in Iran and the World Trade Organization.
Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry and the China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment company signed a MOU
A photo form the event. Source: Trend
The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment company signed a memorandum of understanding, Trend reported on June 1. The document was signed by the Deputy Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan, Elnur Soltanov, and the Senior Vice President of China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment, Lin Xiao. Reportedly, within the framework of this agreement, two gigawatts of renewable electricity will be produced in Azerbaijan. It is also planned to assess the potential for investments in industrial solar energy, land-based marine, wind energy, and projects for the production of green hydrogen in Azerbaijan.
Armenia and China National Geological & Mining Corporation discuss the possibilities of investment projects implementation
A photo from the meeting. Source: News.am
The Minister of Economy of Armenia, Vahan Kerobyan, received a delegation from the China National Geological & Mining Corporation (CGM), News.am reported on June 2. Kerobyan informed the delegation that the mining industry was one of the important branches of Armenia’s economy and that recently the country’s government adopted the strategy for the development of the mining sector outlining the main directions of the development of this sector in Armenia. The possibilities of implementation of investment projects by the CGM in Armenia were discussed. The Minister expressed his readiness to assist in the successful implementation of such projects.
Georgian wine and culture houses opened in Guangzhou and Shenzhen
Archil Kalandia at the expo. Source: The Embassy of Georgia in China
On June 1-3, the Georgian Ambassador to China, Archil Kalandia, visited Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China. Kalandia participated in the 2023 Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo. During the opening ceremony, he reportedly spoke about "the importance of the Trans-Caspian Economic Corridor, as well as the growing dynamics of trade and economic cooperation between Georgia and China". The Embassy of Georgia in China reported that within the framework of the visit, Georgian wine and culture houses were officially opened in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, where Georgian wine culture as well as various products produced in Georgia would be presented.
SOCAR and Energy China International representatives discuss cooperation
A photo from the meeting. Source: Trend
The President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Rovshan Najaf met with the Senior Vice President of China Energy International Group Co. Ltd (Energy China International), Xiaodang Lin, Trend reported on June 3. During the meeting, the two sides discussed renewable energy projects development, organizing the exchange of experience between the parties, the implementation of cost-effective projects, and other topics. |
