In a significant move to strengthen bilateral relations, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev on Wednesday in Baku. The high-level talks are a testament to the growing strategic partnership between China and Azerbaijan.
Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, highlighted the positive trajectory of China-Azerbaijan relations. He attributed the sound and stable development to the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
“Under the leadership of our heads of state, our countries have elevated our relationship to a strategic partnership,” Ding remarked. “We should implement the key consensuses reached by our leaders, firmly support each other on issues concerning our core interests, and promote the steady and long-term development of China-Azerbaijan relations.”
In July, the two nations announced the elevation of their ties to a strategic partnership, laying out a new blueprint for cooperation. Ding emphasized China’s willingness to align the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Azerbaijan’s economic and social development strategies. He expressed hope that this alignment would enrich the strategic partnership with practical cooperation outcomes.
China is keen to strengthen trade and investment cooperation, enabling more high-quality Azerbaijani products to enter the Chinese market. Ding welcomed Azerbaijani businesses to invest and grow in China and encouraged Chinese companies to invest and develop in Azerbaijan. He also noted China’s commitment to deepening energy cooperation and adapting to the global trend of green and low-carbon transition.
“China strengthens connectivity to ensure the safe, stable, and smooth operation of China-Europe freight trains,” Ding said. “We work with Azerbaijan and other countries along the route to build the trans-Caspian international transportation corridor.”
Beyond economic ties, Ding called for enhanced cooperation in culture, education, science, tourism, and other areas. He stressed the importance of facilitating personnel exchanges and promoting mutual understanding between the peoples of both nations.
Shahin Mustafayev expressed Azerbaijan’s high regard for the BRI, noting that Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to formally support the initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. “The relationship between Azerbaijan and China is strong and resilient,” Mustafayev said. He affirmed Azerbaijan’s firm adherence to the one-China principle and expressed willingness to deepen bilateral practical cooperation in trade, investment, energy, finance, and people-to-people exchanges.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening mutual support and coordination in international and regional affairs to safeguard their shared interests and those of other developing nations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
