“It is safe to say that relations between Azerbaijan and China are currently going through a period of dynamic development. In particular, significant events have taken place over the past two years. In July 2024, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping met, and a declaration on strategic partnership between the two countries was adopted. During President Aliyev’s state visit to China this April, nearly 20 documents were signed, the most important of which established a comprehensive strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Co-Chair of the Azerbaijan–China Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation Shahin Mustafayev in an interview with an AZERTAC correspondent.
Mustafayev noted that during President Aliyev’s subsequent visit to China at the end of August and beginning of September, he once again met and held talks with President Xi Jinping. “The discussions, signed documents, and achieved agreements are already bearing fruit. It can be said that Azerbaijan–China relations are now experiencing a period of rapid development,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
He underlined that in the first nine months of this year, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and China increased by 28 percent, exceeding 3.4 billion US dollars. “This is a very significant figure,” Mustafayev said. “I believe this number will continue to grow, as mutual interest is very high. Chinese companies and delegations are regularly visiting Azerbaijan and implementing major projects in various sectors of the economy—particularly in energy, including green energy, as well as in industry, investment, and tourism. Currently, around 40 large-scale projects are being implemented in Azerbaijan by Chinese companies. The relevant institutions are monitoring these companies’ activities and the progress of their projects, providing the necessary support. I am confident that these projects will succeed and have a substantial impact on both investment and trade turnover.”
The Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Commission also noted that important steps are being taken to diversify Azerbaijan’s non-oil exports, with the government and relevant agencies carrying out large-scale work. “Azerbaijan’s trade and wine houses are operating in China, and Azerbaijani companies regularly participate in exhibitions held there, including the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, where an Azerbaijan pavilion is featured. These efforts are producing tangible results and will continue to do so in the future. We will witness even greater achievements ahead,” he added.
Shahin Jafarov
Special Correspondent
