First new train for the Tbilisi metro unveiled in China
29 September
On 29 September, the first four-car train manufactured for the Tbilisi metro was unveiled at the CRRC Nanjing Puzhen plant in Nanjing, China. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze and Georgia’s ambassador to China, Paata Kalandadze, attended the event. According to Kaladze, the first train is expected to arrive in Tbilisi by the end of 2026.
Under the procurement agreement, Tbilisi is to receive 25 new trains comprising 111 cars in total. Fourteen trains will have four cars each, while eleven will have five. Deliveries are scheduled over a five-year period. Passengers will be able to move between cars on the new trains, while the use of five-car trains on the first line will increase passenger capacity.
Mayors of Tbilisi and Nanjing discuss expanding cooperation
29 September
On 29 September, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze met Nanjing Mayor Li Zhongjun in Nanjing. The two sides discussed closer cooperation in transport, machinery manufacturing, agriculture, and sports. They also discussed expanding trade and economic ties and cultural exchanges.
According to Tbilisi City Hall, Kaladze thanked the Chinese side for supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity and highlighted the production of new cars for the Tbilisi metro. Li Zhongjun expressed his willingness to continue cooperation in various areas. Paata Kalandadze and Tbilisi Transport Company Director Giorgi Sharkov also attended the meeting.
Kvrivishvili discusses trade and investment ties with China
29 September
On 29 September, Georgia’s Minister of Economy, Mariam Kvrivishvili, discussed the development of economic cooperation between Georgia and China at an event marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
According to the minister, the free trade agreement that entered into force in 2018 laid the foundation for expanding trade and economic ties between the two countries. She noted that bilateral trade exceeded US2billioninthefirsteightmonthsof2026,whileChinesecompanieshadinvestedmorethanUS800 million in Georgia since 2002.
Kvrivishvili identified transport and logistics as key areas of cooperation. She said container traffic between the two countries along the corridor increased by 20% in 2025 compared with the previous year. The minister also noted that visa-free travel helps strengthen ties in tourism, business, and education.
Azerbaijan and China announce joint investment fund worth around 1 billion dollars
30 September
On 30 September, Azerbaijan Investment Holding announced the establishment of a joint investment fund with China’s Silk Road Fund. The announcement was made during the Second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum.
The fund has capital of 7.5 billion yuan, equivalent to around US$1 billion, according to the holding. It will finance investment projects in Azerbaijan and other countries participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The fund’s establishment builds on a framework agreement signed by the two sides in April 2025.
Chinese defense companies take part in international exhibition in Baku
2 October
Chinese defense companies participated in the sixth Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition, ADEX 2026, held in Baku from 30 September to 2 October. The event took place at the Baku Expo Center alongside Securex Caspian, an exhibition of internal security, protection, and rescue equipment.
According to the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, Chinese participants included China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation, China North Industries Corporation, and CPMIEC. Their activities include manufacturing or exporting military aircraft, armored vehicles, weapons, and missile and air defense systems. A total of 277 companies from 30 countries took part in the two exhibitions. China was one of 14 countries represented by national pavilions.
Aliyev describes partnerships with China and the United States as foreign policy achievements
2 October
On 2 October, at the eighth congress of the New Azerbaijan Party in Baku, Ilham Aliyev discussed the importance of strategic partnerships with China and the United States. The president described the signing of the declaration on a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and the charter on a strategic partnership with the United States as historic events.
According to Aliyev, China and the United States are the world’s two superpowers, and partnerships with both reflect their trust in Azerbaijan. He also discussed competition between the two countries, noting that establishing rules based on mutual understanding matters to the whole world. The president addressed these relationships in the context of strengthening Azerbaijan’s international position.
State Chamber Orchestra of Armenia performs in Beijing and Shanghai
29 September
On 29 September, the State Chamber Orchestra of Armenia performed at the Li Ying Concert Hall at Peking University. Armenia’s ambassador to China, Vahe Gevorgyan, university representatives, and music specialists attended the concert. On 30 September, the orchestra concluded its Asian tour with a performance at the Art to Gather international music festival in Shanghai.
The tour marked the 35th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and was supported by the country’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. The orchestra was led by UK-based conductor and tenor Sipan Olah. The program featured works by Armenian and European composers, including Komitas, Aram Khachaturian, Arno Babajanian, and Edvard Grieg.
Students discuss Xi Jinping’s works in Astana
2 October
On 2 October, a youth seminar titled “Young Readers’ Meeting: Discussing Xi Jinping’s Works” was held at Maqsut Narikbayev University in Astana. The event was organized by Kazakhstan’s China Studies Centre and the Europe and Asia Broadcasting Center of the Chinese publisher Renmin Huabao.
Speakers included undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, as well as young researchers. They discussed China’s modernization and governance, Kazakhstan–China relations, education, technology, and artificial intelligence. According to the organizers, the meeting aimed to compare ideas presented in Xi Jinping’s works with real-world developments and participants’ personal experiences.
Kazakhstan plans three research centers with Chinese partners
3 October
On 3 October, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy announced plans to establish three joint research and development centers with Chinese partners. The relevant documents were signed in Astana during the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 international forum.
PowerChina Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited will be the partner for the planned center on alternative and renewable energy. A center established with Fudan University will work on applications of artificial intelligence in energy, industry, and transport. Shenzhen EAGET Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. will participate in establishing a center for digital data storage technologies.
All three centers are planned at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. According to the ministry, the projects will support applied research, specialist training, and the practical implementation of technological solutions.
