Georgia
Meeting with the Delegation of Hubei University of Education
December 2
Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Baia Kvitsiani, met with a delegation from China’s Hubei University of Education.
According to information released by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth, the president of Hubei University, Zheng Juni, “expressed special gratitude for the steps taken in Georgia in recent years that support the development of Chinese-language teaching.”
During the meeting, the parties discussed the importance of joint and exchange projects between Hubei University and Georgian universities.
Chinese Ambassador Hosted Georgia–China Friendship Group Representatives
December 4
According to information shared on the Facebook page of the Embassy of China in Georgia, on December 4, the Chinese Embassy hosted the Georgia–China Friendship Group of the Parliament of Georgia.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chair of the Georgia–China Friendship Group, Giorgi Volski; Vice Speakers Ilia Injia, Sozar Subari, and Nino Tsilosani; as well as the chairs of several parliamentary committees.
According to the Embassy, in his remarks, Ambassador Zhou Qian stated that “members of parliament have long supported China–Georgia friendship, and the legislative bodies of our two countries have maintained close cooperation in recent years. China stands ready to strengthen cooperation between legislative bodies and share experience with Georgia in the field of governance.”
Discussion on Exporting “Ipkli Digomi” Bread to the Chinese Market
December 5
According to information reported by Bm.ge, interest has emerged in exporting “Ipkli Digomi” bread to the Chinese market.
According to the company’s marketing manager, Sofio Bediashvili, the export of Ipkli’s diabetic bread to China is under consideration. For this purpose, a Chinese delegation visited Georgia and expressed interest in cooperating with the company. However, as the marketing manager notes, before imports can begin, a number of procedures must be completed, as China has internal standards to which the company must adapt.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan and China’s central banks discuss deepening cooperation
December 1
During his working visit to China, the Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, Taleh Kazimov, met with the governor of the People’s Bank of China, Pan Gongsheng.
During the meeting, the sides discussed monetary policy and financial stability, payment systems, and QR and mobile payment mechanisms.
They also reviewed the issue of strengthening cooperation between the two central banks.
The President of the National Academy of Sciences Delivered a Lecture for Chinese Students
December 3
The President of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Isa Habibbayli, met with students studying the Azerbaijani language at Beijing Foreign Studies University who are attending courses in Azerbaijan to improve their language skills.
During the meeting, Isa Habibbayli delivered a lecture to the Chinese students on “Literary Movements in Azerbaijani Literature.”
Azerbaijani Wine Promotion Events Held in China
December 4
From November 27 to December 4, events were held in the Chinese cities of Nanjing and Xi’an to present and promote Azerbaijani wine.
The events aimed to introduce Azerbaijani wine to the Chinese market and to increase the country’s export potential.
During the events, negotiations were held with potential Chinese partners.
China Supports Demining Operations in Azerbaijan
December 5
The Chairman of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency, Vugar Suleymanov, met with China’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Lu Mei.
According to information released by the Azerbaijan State News Agency, Vugar Suleymanov thanked the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China for the financial support provided for demining operations.
For her part, the Chinese Ambassador noted that demining work is an important component of the strategic partnership between the two countries. According to the Ambassador, during the official visit of Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev, to China in April 2025, a number of agreements were signed between China and Azerbaijan. Among them was a memorandum on cooperation in the field of demining, and China’s financial assistance is being provided within the framework of this memorandum.
At the end of the meeting, the sides exchanged documents confirming the financial assistance provided by China for demining operations under the memorandum.
Azerbaijani Delegation at International Seminar in China
December 6
Representatives of the Azerbaijan Institute of Standardization, which operates under the State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control, participated in an international seminar held in the Chinese cities of Chengdu and Tianjin.
According to information released by the Institute, the aim of the seminar was to share experience and deepen cooperation between China and developing countries in the fields of green energy and sustainable development.
Armenia
Armenia Seeks to Deepen Relations with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
December 4
During a press conference, Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, stated that Armenia is interested in expanding its relations with China and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in all areas. In his remarks, the Prime Minister referred to China as one of Armenia’s reliable partners.
It is noteworthy that in early summer 2025, Armenia officially expressed its desire to join the SCO. Later, in August 2025, an agreement was signed between China and Armenia on establishing a strategic partnership.
International Conference “Eurasian Research on Modern China and Eurasia” Held in Yerevan
December 5
The sixth annual two-day international conference “Eurasian Research on Modern China and Eurasia” was held in Yerevan, traditionally organized by the China-Eurasia Council for Political and Strategic Research. The event brought together 65 scholars from more than 20 leading institutions worldwide.
Speaking to Armenpress, the conference organizer and head of the China-Eurasia Council, China specialist Mher Sahakyan, emphasized that the conference has become a platform that annually brings prominent scholars from Asia and Europe to Yerevan. During the conference, participants work on joint research projects and publications. Following the 2025 conference, a comprehensive book on Eurasian geopolitics is planned for publication, with contributions from more than 70 authors.
In the interview, Sahakyan stated that China’s influence in Eurasia is growing through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which connects the economies of East Asia and Europe and strengthens Beijing’s political leverage. According to him, China’s strategic partnership agreements with South Caucasus states give Armenia an opportunity to balance relations with major external powers.
Sahakyan also noted that Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative could be successfully integrated into China’s Belt and Road project.
The keynote speaker of the conference was Professor Heiwai Tang of the University of Hong Kong. Researchers from Georgia, Turkey, and Iran also participated.
Comment on Armenia by a Chinese Researcher
December 5
At the international conference held in Yerevan (“Eurasian Studies on Modern China and Eurasia”), the Vice President of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Heiwai Tang, delivered a speech in which he discussed the strategic partnership between China and Armenia.
The professor noted that, given Armenia’s small size and population, the country must choose its areas of economic cooperation wisely. In particular, Armenia’s strong human capital makes artificial intelligence an “obvious choice,” while green energy could become a foundation for future economic development for a country traditionally dependent on energy resources.
Kazakhstan
Chinese Citizens Detained at Almaty Airport
December 1
Kazakh authorities detained several foreign nationals at Almaty International Airport on charges of attempting to illegally take infants out of the country.
According to the information released, on November 11, two couples who had arrived from China were stopped at the airport as they attempted to leave Kazakhstan with newborns who were allegedly carried by local surrogate mothers. Although the individuals possessed documentation for the infants, border authorities did not allow them to depart.
In response to the official investigation, the Almaty Police Department confirmed the detentions. The Investigative Department opened a criminal case under Article 135, Part 1 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code — “trafficking of minors.”
