Georgia
Ambassador of Georgia Takes Part in CRI Online Program
March 10
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the People’s Republic of China, Paata Kalandadze, gave an interview to CRI Online, the international online platform of China Media Group. The interview was conducted as part of the CRI (China Radio International) program “One On One with CRI Online”, within the special series “Ambassadors on the Two Sessions”.
During the interview, the significance of China’s “Two Sessions”, the country’s main development priorities, and issues related to the launch of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) were discussed. The conversation also touched upon the development of Georgia-China bilateral relations, including trade and economic cooperation, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Georgia tourism looks to China as regional tensions reshape market priorities
March 10
Speaking on BMGTV, Hotels Federation founder Shalva Alaverdashvili said Georgia should place greater emphasis on China and other Asian markets, as instability in the Middle East and security concerns among European travelers are undermining the country’s tourism appeal in Europe.
The shift comes from growing Georgia-China tourism ties, supported by the visa-free regime and expanded flights. Visits from China rose 83.4% in 2024 to 88,583 and increased by another 40.1% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025.
Against this backdrop, Alaverdashvili called for stronger promotion in China and broader air connectivity.
Paata Kalandadze Presented Georgian Culture on Xinhua Net
March 10
The Ambassador of Georgia to China, Paata Kalandadze, took part in Xinhua Net’s cultural program, Chinese Banquet.
During the program, the Ambassador became acquainted with the traditional culinary culture of Guangdong, including the banquet Jiu Da Gui. He also spoke about Georgia’s centuries-old culture and traditions, its wine culture, the Georgian script, and the country’s tourism potential.
The program featured elements of Georgian culture, including the Georgian alphabet and culinary-themed content, while Xinhua Net’s project Chinese Banquet aims to showcase the cultures of different countries and promote friendly relations through cuisine.
Ambassador’s Meeting at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China
March 11
Georgian ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Paata Kalandadze, held a meeting with the Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Gao Zheng. During the meeting, the sides discussed cooperation in the field of culture between the two countries, as well as the implementation of important projects for the future development of bilateral relations in this field.
The parties also reviewed factors promoting tourism between the two countries and their positive impact on the growing number of Chinese tourists visiting Georgia.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan and China’s iSoftStone discuss digital economy cooperation
March 11
Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov met Li Huang, executive vice president of Chinese technology company iSoftStone. The meeting focused on expanding Azerbaijan-China economic ties in the digital sphere.
According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy, the sides reviewed partnership opportunities in the digital economy, including the implementation of innovative technologies, the development of modern IT solutions and the use of artificial intelligence. Discussions also covered prospects for technology transfer and possible collaboration in building supply and value chains to support computer and electronic equipment production in Azerbaijan.
As Azerbaijan expands technology and industrial cooperation with China, digital transformation is becoming a key area of partnership.
13th Global Baku Forum Opens
March 12
The 13th Global Baku Forum opened in Baku, attended by around 400 political leaders, experts, and political representatives. Discussions focused on security, geopolitical developments, and multilateral cooperation.
Chinese participation featured in the forum’s agenda, including a March 13 panel on China and the Global Governance Initiative attended by Wu Hongbo, former Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs.
During the panel, participants discussed China’s Global Governance Initiative in the context of current international challenges. Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said the existing international order is facing serious pressure and described China’s initiative as a response aimed at supporting stability.
Other speakers said the initiative emphasizes sovereign equality, international law and multilateralism, and presented it as a platform for broader international dialogue.
AFEZ holds investment event in Beijing
March 12
The Alat Free Economic Zone Authority (AFEZ) held an investment event in Beijing aimed at attracting Chinese manufacturers to Azerbaijan’s Alat Free Economic Zone.
The event brought together more than 200 participants, including representatives of the China Overseas Development Association (CODA), Chinese companies, and Azerbaijani officials. During the meeting, AFEZ presented the zone’s investment conditions, infrastructure, and incentives, while participants discussed opportunities for industrial cooperation.
At the event, AFEZ and CODA signed a memorandum of understanding to support future cooperation and promote Chinese investment in the zone.
AFEZ also noted that Sichuan Sunsync Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd., the first Chinese company registered in the zone, plans to establish a solar panel manufacturing complex there.
ANAMA delegation visits China
March 13
A delegation from Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), headed by Chairman of the Board Vugar Suleymanov, conducted a working visit to China from 9 to 13 March, focused on advancing bilateral cooperation in the field of humanitarian demining.
During the visit, an ANAMA delegation visited the Arms Control Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. The Azerbaijani delegation also held a meeting at the People’s Liberation Army Engineering University in Nanjing, and with leading Chinese companies specializing in mine-clearance and security technologies, including NORINCO, Nuctech, and Beijing Heweiyongtai Sci & Tech.
Discussions focused on the implementation of the memorandum on humanitarian demining cooperation within the framework of the broader Azerbaijan-China comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as on the application of advanced technical solutions.
The delegation reviewed a range of equipment, including mine-clearance machinery, explosive ordnance disposal robots, mine-detection drones, and X-ray systems for explosive ordnance detection, while also examining Chinese training and research capacities in this field.
The visit reflected Azerbaijan’s efforts to strengthen its institutional and technical demining capabilities.
Chinese ambassador says Azerbaijan ties are gaining momentum
March 13
Lu Mei, the Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan, stated at a briefing that the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan will continue to expand opportunities for learning the Chinese language and exploring Chinese culture.
Lu Mei also said that bilateral relations have shown strong momentum since the beginning of 2026, highlighting intensified diplomatic engagement and expanding cooperation, and stated that China is ready to deepen strategic ties with Azerbaijan regardless of international changes.
Lu also said the two countries should expand cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthen humanitarian and institutional exchanges, and support multilateralism and the UN-centered international order.
She added that Beijing is ready to support Azerbaijan in hosting this year’s CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia) summit.
Armenia
Chinese analyst says Armenia could become a link between Asia and Europe
March 11
In an interview published by Armenpress, Shen Shiwei, founder of the China Briefing newsletter and a Beijing-based political and economic analyst, said Armenia could become a key land hub linking Asia and Europe as China-Armenia ties deepen.
According to Shen Shiwei, the establishment of a China-Armenia strategic partnership in 2025 had raised bilateral relations to a new level and created a stronger political foundation for expanding trade, investment and broader economic cooperation.
He argued that Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative aligns with China’s vision of regional connectivity and could open new opportunities in transport infrastructure, cross-border logistics and customs facilitation.
According to Shen Shiwei, Armenia could also strengthen its role in the Middle Corridor and broader Eurasian logistics networks if it improves its transport infrastructure and maintains a stable policy environment.
He added that sectors such as infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, tourism and educational cooperation in high-tech fields hold strong potential for future China-Armenia cooperation.
He also pointed to mutual visa exemption and direct flights as factors that could support stronger tourism and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Tajikistan
China to finance nine border facilities on the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border
March 11
China will finance the construction of nine border facilities along Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan under a grant worth 569 million somoni, according to parliamentary documents cited by Asia-Plus on March 11.
Tajikistan’s lower chamber approved the agreement on March 4. Officials said the project is aimed at strengthening the technical capacity of the Border Troops.
The facilities will cover more than 17,000 square meters. China will also provide design work, equipment, construction materials, and technical specialists. Supporting infrastructure, including roads, water, drainage, and electricity systems, is also planned.
Authorities have not disclosed the exact locations of the sites.
The project follows an earlier Chinese-funded phase in 2017-2018, when 12 border facilities were built in areas near Afghanistan.
Tajik foreign minister met the Chinese ambassador
March 13
Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin held talks with China’s ambassador to Tajikistan, Guo Zhijun, with the two sides discussing the current state of bilateral relations and prospects for further cooperation, according to Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry.
The ministry said the meeting also covered regional and international issues, reflecting continued diplomatic engagement between Dushanbe and Beijing while broader geopolitical attention is paid to Central Asia.
