Chinese ambassador’s article on Georgia-China relations
June 22
On June 22, the Chinese Embassy in Georgia published an article by the Chinese ambassador, Zhou Qian, concerning the transition of Georgia-China relations to the stage of a “comprehensive strategic partnership”.
According to the ambassador, this format implies not only a deepening of relations between the two countries, but also an expansion of practical areas of cooperation. He said that, in recent years, political dialogue and high-level visits have intensified, trade and economic ties have grown, and cooperation in infrastructure and connectivity has strengthened.
The article pays particular attention to linking China’s Belt and Road Initiative with the Middle Corridor, which is strategically important for Georgia. According to Beijing, this process will help strengthen Georgia’s transit function and support its more active participation in regional economic processes.
Zhou Qian also notes that in 2025, bilateral trade turnover between Georgia and China reached USD 2.7 billion. The article also discusses the expansion of direct air links, which, according to the ambassador, will support the development of tourism, business ties, people-to-people contacts, and cargo transportation.
Irakli Kobakhidze spoke in parliament about the results of relations with China
June 26
On June 26, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze spoke about the development of relations with China during his annual report to parliament. According to him, the upgrade of Georgia-China relations to the level of a “comprehensive strategic partnership” represents a new stage in bilateral cooperation, and this process is already reflected in concrete economic results.
According to Kobakhidze, after the deepening of the strategic partnership, both trade turnover and exports of Georgian products to the Chinese market increased. The prime minister stated that in 2025, Georgia-China trade turnover grew by 21%, while in January-April 2026, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, the increase amounted to 45%. He added that exports of Georgian goods to China tripled during the same period.
The prime minister also focused on tourism. According to him, the number of Chinese visitors to Georgia increased by 44% in 2025, while growth reached 49% in the first quarter of 2026. Kobakhidze assessed that these figures show that the deepening of political and economic cooperation with China is producing practical results in trade, exports, and tourism.
Zhou Qian’s interview with Imedi
June 27
On June 27, China’s ambassador to Georgia, Zhou Qian, spoke in an interview with Imedi about the priority areas of Georgia-China cooperation.
According to the ambassador, at the new stage of bilateral relations, the priorities are the continuation of high-level contacts, the expansion of trade, and the deepening of cooperation in tourism, education, and technology. He said the parties are also considering signing a memorandum in the field of e-commerce, which would help Georgian products, including wine, mineral water, hazelnuts, and spices, enter the Chinese market.
The ambassador also underlined the importance of connecting the Belt and Road Initiative with the Middle Corridor. In his assessment, the diversification of transport routes has become more relevant against the backdrop of the geopolitical environment; however, to improve the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor, infrastructure, customs procedures, digital coordination, and regulations need to be upgraded.
The ambassador also highlighted high-tech cooperation. According to him, China and Georgia have a “good political foundation and favorable conditions” in this area. Zhou Qian said the parties had already signed memoranda of understanding on cooperation in digital economy investment and artificial intelligence.
Azerbaijan Railways modernizes its fleet with Chinese locomotives
June 23
On June 23, it was reported that Azerbaijan Railways had reached an agreement with China’s CRRC Ziyang Co., Ltd. on the purchase of four new mainline passenger locomotives. The meeting took place as part of a visit by ADY representatives to China.
During the visit, the parties also discussed expanding cooperation in freight locomotives. Under a contract signed last year, Azerbaijan will receive seven new freight locomotives from China in September 2026. According to APA, the new AC50 mainline locomotives are expected to be used in freight transportation along international transport corridors passing through Azerbaijan.
In addition, ADY and CRRC Ziyang signed an agreement on the purchase of four new mainline passenger locomotives. Their procurement is planned for 2027.
Xinhua News Agency’s interview with Akbar Aliyev
June 23
On June 23, Xinhua published an interview with Akbar Aliyev, head of the Import-Export Control Department of Azerbaijan’s Food Safety Agency, in which he discussed the expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and China in agricultural trade and food safety.
According to Aliyev, documents were signed with the Chinese side in June covering food safety, animal and plant quarantine inspections, customs cooperation, and the online verification of electronic certificates. In his assessment, these steps will strengthen the competitiveness of Azerbaijani products and their compliance with international standards.
Aliyev also noted that this process is linked to the gradual expansion of exports of Azerbaijani agricultural products to the Chinese market. According to him, agricultural trade and food safety are part of a broader picture of cooperation between the two countries, which also includes transport, investment, energy, and the digital economy.
ADY participated in a logistics exhibition in China
June 24
On June 24-26, Azerbaijan Railways, as part of AZCON Holding, participated with its own stand at Transport Logistic China 2026 in Shanghai. At the exhibition, ADY presented Azerbaijan’s international transport and logistics capabilities.
As part of the event, ADY representatives met with shippers, logistics operators, investors, and prospective partners. The meetings addressed the growth of freight traffic through international corridors passing through Azerbaijan, the development of new logistics services on the Middle Corridor, and the strengthening of the Baku Port’s connections.
More than 1,000 companies from around 50 countries and regions participated in the exhibition. The event covered rail, maritime, and air transportation, multimodal logistics, digital technologies, and supply-chain management.
Azerbaijan’s national stand at the China-Eurasia Expo
June 25
On June 25-29, Azerbaijan was represented with a national stand at the 9th China-Eurasia Expo, held in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The stand was organized by the Trade Representative Office of Azerbaijan in China under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan.
Products under the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand were presented at the stand. As part of the exhibition, Azerbaijan’s trade representative in China, Teymur Nadiroglu, participated in the SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference, where he spoke about Azerbaijan’s business environment, investment opportunities, and transport-logistics role.
The China-Eurasia Expo has been held since 2011 and represents one of China’s important international economic and trade platforms. More than 2,000 companies and organizations from 27 countries, regions, and international organizations, as well as from all Chinese provinces, participated in the 9th expo.
China is viewed as one of the important markets for Armenia’s trade diversification
June 23
On June 23, Armenpress published an interview with economic affairs expert Tatevik Vardanyan concerning Armenia’s trade diversification.
According to expert Tatevik Vardanyan, Armenia’s foreign economic policy should not be narrowed down only to relations with the Eurasian Economic Union. She said Armenia should simultaneously strengthen ties with other growing markets, including China, which would support export diversification and reduce the country’s economic dependencies.
The article emphasizes that China has become an important trade partner for Armenia. In 2024, bilateral trade reached approximately USD 2.8 billion, while in January-April 2026 it increased by 19.4% to USD 914.5 million. During this period, China’s share in Armenia’s foreign trade rose from 12.2% to 14.5%.
These figures show that, for Yerevan, Beijing is not only an existing trade partner, but may also become one of the important directions for broader economic diversification.
Uzbekistan and China’s Guangxi region agreed on agro-industrial and investment projects
June 23
On June 23, Uzbekistan’s diplomatic representatives met with officials of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Nanning. The parties discussed deepening direct regional ties between Uzbekistan’s regions and Guangxi, as well as launching academic and educational exchange programs.
As part of the business agenda, a roundtable titled “Uzbekistan-Guangxi: Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation” was held, with the participation of more than 20 Chinese companies. Agriculture, agro-processing, construction materials production, electrical engineering, and tourism were identified as priority areas at the meeting.
The Uzbek side presented Chinese companies with the country’s investment environment, regional projects, and possible formats for cooperation. As a result of the meeting, the parties reached an agreement on the implementation of several joint projects.
Uzbek and Chinese universities expand academic ties
June 23
On June 23, representatives of Uzbekistan’s Consulate General in Guangzhou met with Yan Xiangbin, president of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. At the meeting, the parties discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation between higher education institutions in Uzbekistan and China.
As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed to develop cooperation among Uzbekistan State World Languages University, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. The partnership includes exchanges of students and lecturers, joint educational programs, and research projects.
The initiative is part of the expansion of education ties between Uzbekistan and China and aims to strengthen academic mobility and institutional partnership.
Uzbekistan’s national pavilion was presented at the China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi
June 25
On June 25-29, Uzbekistan was represented with the “Made in Uzbekistan” national pavilion at the 9th China-Eurasia Expo held in Urumqi. The pavilion was organized with the support of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Beijing, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
At the exhibition, Uzbekistan presented its investment and export potential. Attention was focused on light and food industries, textiles, clothing, agricultural products, and traditional handicrafts. The Urumqi exhibition became a platform for Uzbekistan to promote its products in the Chinese and Eurasian markets and establish new trade links.
