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Michael_Novakhov shared this story from  AzerNews – News from Azerbaijan, Business, Energy, Analysis.
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By Mazahir Afandiyev I AzerNEWS
At a time when the global political architecture is being
reshaped—particularly against the backdrop of the new challenges
brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution—every country seeks to
secure its national interests by participating in global processes
and managing its economic and political relations with other
states.
Although many international organizations advocate for peaceful
and dialogue-based solutions to global issues, recent experiences
show that states with economic resilience and broad
military-political capabilities have a stronger say in
international affairs. In this new multipolar world order, the
People’s Republic of China has begun to play a more critical role,
solidifying its position in certain regions and creating new
opportunities for cooperation.
In Azerbaijan’s case, the foundation of friendly and partnership
relations with China is linked to the name of National Leader
Heydar Aliyev. During his tenure as First Deputy Chairman of the
USSR Council of Ministers, Heydar Aliyev held numerous meetings
with Chinese representatives, being well-informed about China’s
dynamics and development. These contacts continued successfully
during Azerbaijan’s years of independence.
After gaining independence, mutual official visits between the
two countries’ high-ranking officials further strengthened
diplomatic ties. Heydar Aliyev’s official visits to China and
meetings with its leaders laid the groundwork for future
cooperation.
During his first official visit to China from March 7–10, 1994,
National Leader Heydar Aliyev met with President Jiang Zemin and
Prime Minister Li Peng. During this visit, a joint declaration on
the fundamentals of developing friendly relations between the two
countries was signed, along with eight agreements covering topics
such as the opening of air routes, scientific-technical and
cultural cooperation, medicine, radio and television, and
tourism.
These successfully established relations have been further
strengthened over the past 20 years under the leadership of
President Ilham Aliyev. Since 2005, President Aliyev has made
several visits to China. However, his state visit to the People’s
Republic of China from April 22–24, 2025, can be considered a
historic milestone in bilateral cooperation.
As a result of bilateral and extended meetings with the
President of China, a Joint Declaration on Establishing
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Relations comprising 18 clauses
was signed. This agreement opens new avenues for Azerbaijan—the
leading country of the South Caucasus—to expand future cooperation
with other states. In particular, the agreement on lifting the visa
regime between the two countries increases expectations for the
continued development of friendly and respectful relations.
As highlighted by the President in an interview with China
Global Television Network during his visit, “Azerbaijan has
signed strategic partnership declarations with many countries in
the South Caucasus region and even some European countries, but the
one with China is the strongest among them.”
In the same interview, President Ilham Aliyev touched on all
aspects of modern cooperation with China, clarifying various points
of interest related to political, economic, cultural, and
humanitarian fields for a vast audience.
It should be noted that China has succeeded in creating a new
reality in the Eurasian region and globally over the past decade.
Azerbaijan, too, aims to deepen relations globally based on mutual
respect and trust. It strives to define new directions in line with
the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while also
working to attract investment and boost capital inflows into the
country.
As the President emphasized, Azerbaijan possesses significant
logistical capabilities in the North-South and East-West
transportation corridors. The country is committed to being a
reliable energy supplier and enhancing its trade turnover. This
effort continues to deepen and diversify day by day.
Azerbaijan also joined the “Belt and Road” initiative, proposed
by China in 2013 to improve infrastructure and connectivity across
Eurasian countries. Within this initiative, a new trade corridor
has been established to transport goods directly from East to West
under favorable conditions.
Notably, Azerbaijan was the first country in the Caucasus to
support China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. In this context,
Azerbaijan plays the role of a logistics hub, junction, and bridge
in implementing the strategy.
Thus, Azerbaijan’s transportation and logistics
advantages—critical for both the ancient Silk Road and the modern
“Belt and Road” initiative—are clearly evident. The bilateral
economic-political relations established with friendly countries,
as well as Azerbaijan’s commitment, solidarity, and alliances
demonstrated in international organizations, are valuable not only
for our country and region but for the entire Eurasian
continent.
We can confidently say that the direction defined by President
Ilham Aliyev in Azerbaijan’s multi-vector foreign policy is aimed
at a prosperous future and reflects the intention to deepen
relations with Eurasian countries—particularly with the People’s
Republic of China—in the fields of economy, politics, culture, and
humanitarian cooperation.
Mazahir Afandiyev, the author is a member of the Azerbaijani
Parliament
