Georgia
Irakli Kobakhidze met with Li Qiang
November 4
On November 4, 2025, the Prime Minister of Georgia met with the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang, in Shanghai.
During the meeting, Premier Li Qiang emphasized the significance of the strategic partnership established between the two countries in 2023 and noted that China is ready to deepen cooperation in the trade and economic spheres, particularly within the framework of the “Belt and Road Initiative.”
Prime Minister Kobakhidze reaffirmed that Georgia considers China a strategic partner, firmly upholds the “One China” principle, and supports China’s global initiatives.
At the end of the meeting, the Premiers signed bilateral cooperation documents in fields such as trade, agriculture, aviation, culture, environmental protection, and, notably, Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Meeting with the Mayor of Shanghai
November 5
On November 5, 2025, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, met with the Mayor of Shanghai, Gong Zheng (Kung Cheng), during the China International Import Expo (CIIE).
Prime Minister Kobakhidze emphasized the paramount importance of economic cooperation and noted that the goal is to achieve tangible and practical results in bilateral relations. The Mayor of Shanghai agreed with this stance and mentioned that the status of Tbilisi and Shanghai as sister cities will contribute to the deepening of pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation.
It is noteworthy that in 2024, an agreement was signed between Tbilisi and Shanghai, which envisioned cooperation in fields such as sports, culture, urban development, transport, and environmental protection.
The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) Opened in Shanghai
November 5
In Shanghai, the 8th China International Import Expo opened on November 5 and ran through November 10. The exhibition was attended by 155 countries, regions, international organizations, and 4,108 foreign companies. Among them, Georgia, along with Thailand, the UAE, Nigeria, Sweden, and Colombia, participated as one of the Countries of Honor. Georgia took part in the CIIE for the eighth time.
A post published on the government’s official page confirmed that on November 5, 2025, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, jointly opened the Georgian exhibition space at the CIIE with the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang.
The Ambassador of Georgia to China, Paata Kalandadze, stated that the CIIE offers an opportunity for Georgian products to gain wider access to the Chinese market.
According to the Ambassador, China’s vast and appealing market offers broad prospects for Georgian products such as wine, mineral waters, and honey. He also stressed that bilateral trade is significantly supported by the Free Trade Agreement and the visa-free regime established last year, which strengthens both tourist and business ties.
Wang Yi's Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
November 7
On November 7, 2025, negotiations were held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China. The two sides held talks in Beijing as part of an official visit.
According to Wang Yi, Georgia is the first country in the Eurasian region and a crucial strategic partner in the South Caucasus that has concluded a Free Trade Agreement with China. The Chinese side is ready to continue mutual cooperation with Georgia and deepen the relations between Georgia and China.
Furthermore, China is ready to strengthen its strategic relationship with Georgia, expand cooperation in the areas of trade and cultural exchange, and facilitate the high-quality implementation of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.
Particular attention was paid to the strategic importance of the Caucasus region. In this context, the distinguished role of Georgia in the development of the Middle Corridor was emphasized.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia stressed that Georgia looks forward to the rapid implementation of the updated version of the Free Trade Agreement to give Georgian products greater opportunity to enter the Chinese market. It was also noted at the meeting that the Georgian government unwaveringly supports the “One China” principle and is ready to express its support for China on any platform.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan State University of Economics and Beijing Foreign Studies University Begin Cooperation
November 3
A delegation from Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) visited the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC).
During the meeting, UNEC Rector Adalat Muradov noted that since 2019, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the involvement of the Confucius Institute, the university has been offering online Chinese language courses. More than 500 students have participated in these courses to date.
For his part, BFSU Vice-Rector Gao Qiang stated that the university offers teaching of 101 foreign languages, including Azerbaijani.
During the meeting, the sides discussed specific areas of cooperation and reached agreements on implementing “Foreign Language + Economics” dual-degree programs, organizing foreign language training courses for UNEC faculty, sharing BFSU’s experience in language education, establishing a foreign language teaching center at UNEC, and carrying out joint conferences and translation projects.
Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and Beijing Foreign Studies University Sign Memorandum of Understanding
November 3
President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Isa Habibbayli, met with BFSU Vice-Rector Gao Qiang.
At the meeting, President Habibbayli emphasized that relations between Azerbaijan and China are built on a solid foundation, noting that President Ilham Aliyev attaches particular importance to cooperation with Beijing. He also briefed the guests on ANAS’s partner universities and academic institutions in China.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation was signed between the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Baku Engineering University and Tianshui Normal University of China Establish Cooperation
November 4
A Memorandum of Understanding on academic cooperation was signed between Baku Engineering University (BEU) and Tianshui Normal University of China.
The agreement provides for joint scientific projects, student and faculty exchange programs, dual-degree programs, and the joint development of academic curricula.
President of Tianshui Normal University Wang Huining noted that the signed memorandum will contribute not only to university-level cooperation but also to the strengthening of friendship and partnership between China and Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University Expands Cooperation with Chinese University
November 5
A delegation from Tianshui Normal University (China) visited the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ASPU).
At the end of the meeting, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation, which envisages joint scientific activities, student and teacher exchange programs, dual-degree initiatives, and collaborative academic programs.
Visit of the Azerbaijani Delegation from the Ministry of Emergency Situations to China
November 5
A delegation from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan visited the People’s Republic of China from October 26 to November 4.
During the visit, delegation members met with Liu Yi, Vice President of the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC).
The meeting participants discussed the importance of bilateral cooperation between institutions working in the field of emergency management, as well as the use of aviation technologies in related areas.
Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Visits China
November 6
Within the framework of the China International Import Expo, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Azerbaijan–China Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, Shahin Mustafayev, held meetings with representatives of Chinese companies, including China Datang Corporation Ltd. and Wontai Group.
During the meetings, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that Chinese companies benefit from Azerbaijan’s favorable investment and business environment and are implementing projects across various sectors.
SOCAR Launches Cooperation with Chinese Company
November 7
President of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Rovshan Najaf met with Zhang Xinming, President of Sinopec Engineering.
During the meeting, the sides discussed oil and gas production, petrochemical products, digitalization, energy transmission, and modern processing technologies.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides signed a cooperation agreement.
Institute of Physics of Azerbaijan Cooperates with Hong Kong Academy
November 8
Director of the Institute of Physics under the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, Arif Hashimov, hosted representatives of the International CORE Academy of Science and Humanities (Hong Kong).
During the meeting, a strategic cooperation agreement was signed between the Institute of Physics and the CORE Academy to establish an International Eurasian Laboratory.
The agreement envisions strengthening integration in the fields of science and education, implementing training and education programs, technology transfer, enhancing international scientific cooperation, joint research initiatives, and establishing a joint laboratory within the Belt and Road framework.
Armenia
“Crossroads of Peace” and “Belt and Road” Initiatives Share Many Parallels – Wang Xiaoqiuan
November 5
“For centuries, Armenia has stood at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations. This tradition of civilizational harmony also lies at the heart of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), making it naturally aligned with Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” concept.”
According to Armenpress, this view was expressed by Wang Xiaoqiuan, Secretary-General of the Belt and Road Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, during the Orbeli Forum 2025: Building Peace and Multilateral Cooperation conference.
Wang noted that earlier this year, Armenia and China adopted a joint declaration establishing a strategic partnership, which emphasizes that Armenia was among the first countries to make a significant contribution to the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and to express readiness for its active integration with the Crossroads of Peace.
He stressed that, amid current geopolitical transformations, cooperation within these two frameworks not only deepens regional economic integration but also contributes to peacebuilding and the strengthening of cultural ties across the South Caucasus. According to Wang, such cooperation must be grounded in the principle of equality, which implies respect for sovereignty, mutual understanding of interests, and recognition of shared benefits.
The expert highlighted that multilateral cooperation should be prioritized not only in the economic sphere but also in political, security, and humanitarian domains. He noted that Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace aims to transform the country into a regional hub, while China plans to expand the capacity of the Trans-Siberian International Corridor by 2029 — creating new opportunities for Armenia to integrate into that network through regional connectivity projects.
“The North–South highway could connect Yerevan with Batumi, and in the future, a railway line linking Yerevan and Tehran could also be built,” Wang said. “Railways passing through Central Asia could connect this region and the South Caucasus with China, forming a major Eurasian corridor. It is an ambitious yet realistic project. Transport routes should primarily serve trade and economic cooperation. Armenia and China can jointly develop mutually beneficial projects across various sectors using modern technologies and artificial intelligence. China can share its advanced experience — from digital innovation to green energy.”
Wang also mentioned that Armenia has expressed its desire to deepen relations with the European Union and eventually pursue membership, while also applying to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
“Armenia’s diplomacy is impressive in this regard,” he concluded, “as it strives to strengthen strategic relations with China while maintaining constructive ties with Russia. This balanced and transparent foreign policy creates favorable conditions for integrating the Crossroads of Peace initiative into the Belt and Road framework — and, more broadly, into the context of Eurasian cooperation.”
The Second Inter-University Chinese Song Competition Held in Yerevan
November 6
On November 6, the House of Culture of the Russian-Armenian University (RAU) hosted the Second Inter-University Chinese Song Competition-Festival. The event was jointly organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Armenia, the Confucius Classroom of the Russian-Armenian University, and the Confucius Institute of the Valery Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences.
Along with the host universities, students from Yerevan State University and the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports also took part in the competition. The participants performed songs in Chinese, and the jury evaluated their performances based on pronunciation, vocal ability, and stage presence.
The winner of the competition was Hayastan Hmayakyan, a student from Brusov University. The top three performers, along with other distinguished participants, received mobile phones awarded by the Embassy of China in Armenia.
During the opening ceremony, RAU Vice-Rector Pargev Avetisyan welcomed the participants and guests, noting that the festival offered “a wonderful opportunity to hear performances by students inspired by Chinese culture and music.”
For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Armenia Li Xinwei emphasized the growing interest of Armenian youth in the Chinese language and culture. He expressed hope that in the coming years, the competition would attract even more participants and noted that next year’s event is planned to be held in the new studio of Armenia’s Public Television, currently being built with China’s support.
Kazakhstan
Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Meets with Kazakh Minister of Transport
November 7
On November 7, 2025, China and Kazakhstan are strengthening cooperation in the fields of infrastructure and logistics:
China’s Ambassador Han Chunlin met with the newly appointed Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, Sauranbayev.
Both sides emphasized the importance of connectivity in the transport and logistics sectors as a key priority of the “Belt and Road Initiative”.
The Chinese Embassy expressed its readiness to facilitate the participation of more Chinese companies in Kazakhstan’s transport and infrastructure projects.
The Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan positively assessed the existing practical cooperation and expressed his readiness to continue working with China on the implementation of the “Belt and Road Initiative.”
Kazakhstan and China - a new trade partnership
November 5
Kazakhstan and China signed a new trade partnership agreement at the China International Import Expo (CIIE). The agreement aims to create online platforms and promote digital trade, which is intended to simplify the entry of Kazakh products into the Chinese market.
The agreement was signed between Optimize Integration Group (OIG) and Kazakhstan’s Trade Policy Development Center, QazTrade.
The agreement shows that Kazakhstan is leveraging a partnership with China’s main digital importer (OIG) and the CIIE platform to accelerate exports and increase the supply of its agricultural products to China.
Scientific cooperation between Kazakhstan and China is entering a new phase
November 6
On November 6, the “Shakarim” Kazakh-Chinese Cultural Research Center was inaugurated at Xi’an Jiaotong University. The event was held within the framework of the “Belt and Road Initiative.” The newly opened center is set to play a significant role in deepening cultural and scientific cooperation between Kazakhstan and China.
The goal of the “Shakarim” Cultural Research Center is to introduce the spiritual heritage of the Kazakh people to the Chinese audience. The center is also important for strengthening cultural and scientific collaboration between Kazakhstan and China.
Furthermore, the center will facilitate joint research and cultural exchange programs between scholars and students from both countries.
