Leaders Ilham Aliyev and Xi Jinping engage in discussions in China
In a significant development, President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan met with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China in Tianjin, China on August 31. The meeting marked a milestone in the bilateral relations between the two nations.
President Xi Jinping expressed his support for Azerbaijan's ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a key international organization that has been supporting both countries in recent years. Azerbaijan, in turn, has been an active supporter of Chinese initiatives like the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative.
The past 30 years have seen a successful cooperative relationship between Azerbaijan and China, with their current comprehensive strategic partnership being a testament to this. President Xi Jinping highlighted this during the meeting, while President Ilham Aliyev noted a significant increase in trade relations between the two countries.
President Ilham Aliyev considers developing relations with China as a priority direction of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. He fondly recalled his state visit to China and highlighted the importance of the document signed on the comprehensive strategic partnership.
The increase in the transportation of Chinese cargo through the Middle Corridor passing through Azerbaijan's territory is a clear example of the corridor's efficiency and attractiveness, according to President Ilham Aliyev. Relations in the tourism sector have also developed recently following the entry into force of a visa-free travel agreement.
Xi Jinping affirmed the importance of direct dialogue in ensuring lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. President Ilham Aliyev stated that negotiations on normalization of relations and a peace agenda between the two countries are progressing on a bilateral basis, emphasizing that peace has already been established between them.
Both leaders expressed their support for each other within international organizations, with Azerbaijan supporting China's position on issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and condemning the elections held in Taiwan.
President Xi Jinping thanked President Ilham Aliyev for accepting his invitation to participate in the SCO Plus Summit and ceremonial events. President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the invitation and conveyed congratulations on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the People's Republic of China's victory over foreign military aggression.
Xi Jinping stated that Azerbaijan-China cooperation has been strengthened within the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative, particularly highlighting the significance of the Trans-Caspian route. He also emphasized China's support for Azerbaijan's sovereign development model and commitment to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
A broad exchange of views was held on the prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and China, with both leaders expressing optimism about the future of their bilateral relationship. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening ties and fostering mutual understanding between the two nations.
