Relations between China and Azerbaijan have developed steadily and dynamically in recent years across political, economic, and humanitarian spheres, rising to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. High-level mutual visits, the continuous growth of trade turnover, cooperation in transport and logistics, and projects implemented within the framework of the “Belt and Road” initiative have further strengthened bilateral ties. At the same time, exchanges in culture, education, tourism, and other humanitarian fields have enhanced mutual trust and understanding between the two peoples. Mutual support demonstrated on international and regional issues—especially the principle of respect for core national interests—confirms the reliable and long-term nature of China–Azerbaijan relations.
The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Azerbaijan, Lu Mei, spoke to APA in an interview about China–Azerbaijan relations and prospects for future cooperation.
2025 has been a “productive” year in terms of the development of China–Azerbaijan relations
– Madam Ambassador, how do you assess the current state of political dialogue and strategic cooperation between China and Azerbaijan?
– On December 24, 2025, I attended the presentation of a new book titled “Azerbaijan and China – Presidential Chronicle (2003–2025)”, authored by Professor Rafiq Abbasov, Director of the Confucius Institute at Azerbaijan University of Languages. The book carefully documents the key events in China–Azerbaijan relations since Ilham Aliyev assumed office as President of Azerbaijan, and throughout its content it reflects President Aliyev’s sincere friendship with China.
Thanks to the personal attention and support of Presidents Heydar Aliyev and Ilham Aliyev, the development of relations with China has become a priority direction of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, and this course continues to this day. In 1994, the national leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, paid a historic visit to China and held talks with Jiang Zemin, who was then Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, laying the foundation for the development of China–Azerbaijan relations. The current building of the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan is also an important symbol of Heydar Aliyev’s friendship with China. In 2000, Heydar Aliyev, then President of Azerbaijan, and Li Peng, then Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, jointly laid the foundation stone of the embassy building. It can be said that Heydar Aliyev not only laid the foundation of the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan, but also created a solid basis for friendship and cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in various fields. Recently, during my visit to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, I visited the Heydar Aliyev Museum. The museum’s director showed me a commemorative album published by the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Azerbaijan, which allowed me to deeply feel Heydar Aliyev’s strong friendship with China and the Chinese people.
After assuming office in 2003, President Ilham Aliyev continued Heydar Aliyev’s friendly foreign policy toward China, regarding the development of relations with China as a diplomatic priority. He has visited China eight times and has met Chinese delegations in Azerbaijan on numerous occasions. It should be especially noted that 2025 was a “productive” year for the development of China–Azerbaijan relations, marked by an unprecedented level of close diplomatic contacts and high-level interaction between the heads of state. President Ilham Aliyev visited China twice during the year, and the two countries’ leaders signed a Joint Declaration on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening a new chapter in the development of China–Azerbaijan relations. It should be emphasized that on both visits to China, President Ilham Aliyev was accompanied by his spouse and family members. An Azerbaijani friend once told me that a person takes their family along only when visiting close friends. This clearly demonstrates that President Ilham Aliyev regards China as a trusted friend. During his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping referred to the Azerbaijani leader as a long-term friend of the Chinese people.
Under the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, frequent mutual visits were carried out at all levels and in all fields between China and Azerbaijan throughout the year, with the number of visiting delegations reaching a new historical high. In September 2025, Su Hui, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, paid a visit to Azerbaijan and held talks with Prime Minister Ali Asadov and Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, engaging in extensive exchanges of views on the implementation of agreements reached by the heads of state, deepening political mutual trust, and strengthening pragmatic cooperation. Acting as the coordinator of Azerbaijan–China trade and economic cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev actively implemented President Ilham Aliyev’s instructions, visited China twice in 2025, and contributed to the promotion of pragmatic cooperation with China. Government bodies, ruling parties, enterprises, and local authorities of both countries actively coordinated their efforts to implement the important agreements reached by the heads of state, achieving significant results.
In the new year, China is ready to work together with Azerbaijan to preserve the traditional friendship between the two countries, resolutely implement the important agreements reached by the heads of state, promote effective cooperation in various fields, and further develop bilateral relations.
China–Azerbaijan trade turnover continues to grow
– What can you say about China–Azerbaijan trade and economic cooperation and China’s investment projects in Azerbaijan?
– Against the backdrop of the improved quality and level of bilateral relations, trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has demonstrated rapid growth dynamics. The volume of China–Azerbaijan trade turnover has continued to increase. In January–October 2025, trade turnover between China and Azerbaijan reached USD 2.44 billion, which is 21.9 percent higher compared to the same period of the previous year. It is expected that the year-end figure will set a new historical record. This will also mark the third consecutive year in which bilateral trade volume has reached a record high.
Investment, economic, and technological cooperation between the two countries continues to deepen. Chinese companies are actively implementing projects in Azerbaijan in areas such as the production of construction materials, retail trade, the automotive industry, and photovoltaic power plants. The first batch of 50 electric buses produced at the BYD plant in Azerbaijan has already been successfully delivered. Last year, 300 electric buses manufactured at the same plant were put into operation in Baku, Nakhchivan, and Karabakh, creating environmentally friendly transportation options for residents of Azerbaijan.
Cooperation between the two countries in the new energy sector also remains productive. Several Chinese companies have signed cooperation documents with Azerbaijan for the implementation of five projects in the new energy field, including photovoltaic power plants and wind energy. The total installed capacity of these projects will amount to 1,570 MW. Once fully operational, these projects will double Azerbaijan’s electricity generation capacity from renewable energy sources. Azerbaijan’s first large-scale wind energy project—a 240 MW wind power plant implemented by a Chinese company—has already been commissioned. Chinese companies will also build a solar panel manufacturing project with a capacity of 3 GW in the Alat Free Economic Zone using private capital, which will open broad opportunities for the development of Azerbaijan’s high-tech processing industry.
Cooperation between China and Azerbaijan is not only mutually beneficial but also brings tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. Within the framework of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation in humanitarian demining, signed with the participation of the heads of state, China has provided financial assistance to the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action. This assistance has contributed to enhancing demining capacity in the liberated territories, supporting reconstruction efforts, and ensuring the safety of local residents. China has also, through the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, donated Chinese-made electronic equipment to two orphanages located in the Khazar district of Baku, creating “China–Azerbaijan Friendship Digital Classrooms.” This project has helped Azerbaijani youth with limited opportunities better adapt to the digital era. In November last year, I also attended a ceremony in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for the handover of distance-learning equipment financed by China. Under this project, China equipped 216 schools in Nakhchivan with distance education facilities, improving learning conditions for local students. The Azerbaijani side, in turn, demonstrated care for education in China’s remote mountainous regions by allocating funds for the construction of a playground for the Second Primary School in Malipo County of Yunnan Province. The Chinese side has not forgotten this gesture. These projects aimed at improving living conditions are sincere and impactful examples of China–Azerbaijan friendship, and the fruits of cooperation bring real benefits to ordinary citizens of both countries—especially the younger generation—thereby creating a more sustainable foundation for strengthening public opinion about China–Azerbaijan friendship.
Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to respond to and join the “Belt and Road” Initiative
– I would like to touch upon Azerbaijan’s role in China’s “Belt and Road” Initiative and its expected impacts…
– Azerbaijan was among the first countries to respond to and join the “Belt and Road” Initiative. In recent years, under the strategic leadership of the heads of state of the two countries, cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in jointly advancing the “Belt and Road” Initiative has achieved significant progress. Within the framework of this initiative, political interaction between the two sides has intensified, infrastructure connectivity has been steadily deepened, the facilitation of trade procedures has improved, financial integration has been optimized, and mutual understanding between the peoples has gradually strengthened. All of this has elevated bilateral relations to a new level.
The Middle Corridor is highly aligned with the “Belt and Road” Initiative and is of great importance for strengthening regional connectivity, promoting regional economic development, and ensuring the stability of global production and supply chains. At present, cooperation in connectivity has become a new key direction and growth point of pragmatic China–Azerbaijan cooperation. From January to November 2025, 351 Trans-Caspian freight trains were dispatched from China to Azerbaijan, representing a 34 percent increase compared to the previous year. In 2025, the first Trans-Caspian freight trains departing from Jinhua and Yiwu in Zhejiang Province, as well as from Beijing and Shenzhen, were put into operation. Cargo transported from China has become the main source of freight for the Middle Corridor, significantly enhancing its development potential. Chinese trains have become a striking sight along the Middle Corridor. Within the framework of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, China will continue high-level cooperation with Azerbaijan and is ready to support Azerbaijan’s efforts to become a regional transport hub by leveraging its advantages in cargo resources, technology, and capital.
Interest in learning the Chinese language and about China continues to grow in Azerbaijan
– Are new developments expected in cultural, educational, and humanitarian cooperation between China and Azerbaijan?
– The key to good relations between states lies in closeness between peoples, and the key to closeness between people lies in mutual understanding. Over the past year, exchanges between China and Azerbaijan in culture, education, tourism, and other fields have been active and productive. During President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to China in April last year, the heads of state of the two countries witnessed the signing of the Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the mutual abolition of visas for holders of ordinary passports. Thanks to the visa-free regime, mutual tourist visits from both countries continue to increase. From January to October 2025, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Azerbaijan exceeded 57,000, which is about 50 percent higher than in the same period of the previous year, creating favorable conditions for strengthening mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.
Interest in learning the Chinese language and about China continues to grow in Azerbaijan. Currently, more than 8,000 people in Azerbaijan have registered to study Chinese, and an increasing number of Azerbaijani universities are offering Chinese language courses. Universities, think tanks, mass media, and artistic groups from both countries actively participate in mutual visits and exchanges; regional cooperation is becoming increasingly solid, and platforms for communication among people from all walks of life in both societies are expanding.
China highly appreciates Azerbaijan’s firm support on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, and human rights in China
– What can you say about China–Azerbaijan cooperation within international organizations?
– During the meeting of the heads of state in April 2025, President Xi Jinping emphasized that firm mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests is not only a good tradition for China and Azerbaijan but also an essential element of their strategic partnership.
In recent years, China and Azerbaijan have demonstrated close cooperation and firm mutual support within international organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the United Nations. China highly appreciates Azerbaijan’s firm support on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, and human rights in China. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue, as before, to support the safeguarding of Azerbaijan’s national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as Azerbaijan’s pursuit of a development path suited to its national conditions. In November 2024, within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) hosted by Azerbaijan, Chinese and Azerbaijani delegations worked closely together to jointly advance the formulation of the post-2025 climate finance goal, achieving the historic “Baku breakthrough.” China supports Azerbaijan’s membership in the SCO, supports Azerbaijan’s activities during its chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, and welcomes Azerbaijan’s active participation in international affairs, which further enhances Azerbaijan’s international standing. China is ready to further strengthen multilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan, safeguard the common interests of Global South countries, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
China is confident in and capable of achieving these goals
– Last year, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing. What were the main outcomes of this meeting?
– The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing in October 2025. It was a major event in China’s political life that year and attracted wide attention from the international community. The most important outcome of the plenum was the discussion and adoption of proposals by the CPC Central Committee on formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development. This document defines the overall framework and strategic plan for China’s economic and social development for the next five years and beyond. Thanks to the successful implementation of successive Five-Year Plans, China’s GDP grew at an average annual rate of 7.9 percent between 1952 and 2024. China has become not only the world’s second-largest economy, but also the world’s largest manufacturing country and the largest trader in goods, making a steady contribution of about 30 percent to global economic growth. China continues to achieve innovative breakthroughs in areas such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and green development, providing sustained momentum for global innovation.
The proposals set out the main goals for China’s economic and social development over the next five years: achieving notable results in high-quality development; significantly enhancing scientific and technological self-reliance and self-sufficiency; making new progress in comprehensively deepening reforms; raising the cultural level of society; continuously improving people’s quality of life; making major new advances in building a “Beautiful China”; and strengthening national security safeguards. On this basis, another intensive five-year phase of efforts will be undertaken by 2035 to significantly enhance China’s economic, scientific and technological, defense, and overall national strength, as well as its international influence. GDP per capita should reach the level of moderately developed countries, people’s lives should become happier and more prosperous, and socialist modernization should be basically realized. China is confident in and capable of achieving these goals.
Against the backdrop of a weak global economic recovery, frequent geopolitical conflicts, and growing uncertainty, these proposals clearly demonstrate China’s strong development momentum and send a clear signal to the international community that China is willing to share opportunities and pursue common development. By comprehensively deepening reforms, steadily expanding openness, and increasing people’s incomes, China will undoubtedly bring more opportunities to the world. China and Azerbaijan are partners on the path of development and revitalization. The concepts and goals reflected in the proposals largely align with the “Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2027–2030.” I believe that China’s 15th Five-Year Plan will also provide ideas for Azerbaijan’s modernization and serve as guidance for pragmatic cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in various fields.
There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times
– What is the current situation regarding Taiwan?
– There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times. This is clear both historically and legally. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, explicitly confirmed that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. This resolution has contributed to making the “one China” principle one of the fundamental principles of international relations and a broad consensus of the international community.
Recently, the United States’ announcement of large-scale arms sales to Taiwan seriously violates the “one China” principle and the three China–U.S. joint communiqués, undermines China’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, threatens peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends wrong signals to separatist forces. In response, China has decided to take countermeasures in accordance with the provisions of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Countering Foreign Sanctions. The Chinese side wishes to emphasize that the Taiwan issue lies at the very core of China’s core interests. China’s resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity is unshakable. Any provocation that crosses the “red line” on the Taiwan issue will be met with a firm response, and any attempt to obstruct China’s reunification will fail. China will continue to take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
Immediately after the U.S. announced large-scale arms sales to Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan issued a public statement unequivocally reaffirming its firm support for the “one China” principle and its non-recognition of “Taiwan independence.” Azerbaijan was among the first countries to openly support this position. The Chinese side highly appreciates Azerbaijan’s consistent and objective stance on the Taiwan issue.
As President Xi Jinping has emphasized, firm mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests is not only a good tradition between China and Azerbaijan but also an essential element of their strategic partnership. During his two meetings with President Xi Jinping in 2025, President Ilham Aliyev once again reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to the “one China” principle. The Azerbaijani side consistently states that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and supports all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. The Joint Declaration on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Azerbaijan also states: “The Azerbaijani side recognizes that there is only one China in the world; that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. Azerbaijan firmly opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and supports the Chinese government in realizing the reunification of the country.” Guided by the important agreements reached by the heads of state, the Chinese side is ready to continue working together with Azerbaijan to provide firm mutual support on issues concerning the defense of state sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and to jointly uphold international fairness and justice.
