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The digest covers China's political, diplomatic, economic and other activities in the South Caucasus region and relations between China and the South Caucasus countries. It relies on a wide variety of sources, including the Chinese media. It is worth noting that the Chinese media is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (according to the World Press Freedom Index China is nearly at the bottom of the list and ranks 175th out of 180 countries)
Read full publication: Georgian PM to Chinese Foreign Minister: Georgia and China are reliable friends and partners to each other
Irakli Garibashvili and Wang Yi. Source: The MFA of China On September 21, the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili met with the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who was attending the United Nations General Assembly, in New York. According to the Chinese MFA, Garibashvili said that Georgia and China were reliable friends and partners to each other. "Georgia thanks the Chinese side for helping its fight against the pandemic, and will continue to abide by the One-China principle and uphold a just position on China-related issues. The Georgian side admires China's amazing development achievements, which have greatly improved the well-being of the people. Georgia supports and actively participates in the Belt and Road cooperation, and looks forward to fully utilizing its geographical advantages to build a regional cooperation corridor. The Georgia-China Free Trade Agreement has been implemented smoothly. Georgia welcomes China's investment and will facilitate Chinese enterprises doing business in Georgia. Georgia pursues practical and constructive policies, stays committed to lasting peace and stability in the region, and disapproves of arbitrary imposition of unilateral sanctions," the Chinese MFA reported. Wang Yi noted that this year China and Georgia celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. "The key to the success of China-Georgia relations is that both sides unswervingly adhere to mutual trust and mutual assistance and accommodate each other's major concerns on international and multilateral occasions. Hope the two sides will make joint efforts to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries and promote bilateral relations to a new stage that is more mature, stable, pragmatic, and efficient," the statement said. The Chinese Minister said that China supported Georgia "playing a unique and important role" in maintaining regional peace, and appreciated that Georgia "positively" advanced the Belt and Road cooperation. "China stands ready to strengthen synergy with the East-West Middle Corridor Initiative, gather greater international common ground on the principle of consultation and collaboration for shared benefits, seize new opportunities of building a Silk Road of Health, a green Silk Road, and a digital Silk Road, and constantly cultivate more growth drivers in mutually beneficial cooperation. China encourages competent and willing enterprises to invest in Georgia and participate in the development of special economic zones or industrial parks. China is willing to strengthen cooperation in ports, energy, and 5G, tap the full potential of cooperation in education, culture, science and technology, sports, and other fields, and push for new achievements in the development of China-Georgia relations," the Chinese statement said.
The CCP and Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party discuss cooperation prospects
A photo from the online meeting. Source: The Embassy of China in Georgia On September 22, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Ambassador Zhou Qian attended a video meeting between the Assistant Minister of the External Affairs Department of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee Qian Hongshan, and the Head of the Georgia-China Parliamentary Friendship Group from the ruling Georgian Dream party Giorgi Amilakhvari, the Embassy of China in Georgia reported. Qian Hongshan spoke positively of the relationship between the two parties and the two countries, saying that the Communist Party of China was willing to maintain friendly contact with the "Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia" party, and to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to promote China-Georgia relations and cooperation in various fields to achieve new results. Reportedly, the Georgian side said that the Georgian Dream party attached great importance to the development of the relationship between the two parties and the two countries, admired the great ruling achievements of the CCP, and was willing to strengthen the experience exchange with the CCP in governing the party and the country, also deepening bilateral cooperation in political, economic, people-to-people and cultural fields through inter-party means. It's noteworthy that the faction that has the most members in the parliamentary friendship group with the parliament of the PRC is "United National Movement - Unified Opposition 'Unity makes Strength'", an opposition group with 27 delegates, the "Georgian Dream" faction has 20 delegates and other 13 members are from other parties or factions.
Zangezur Corridor to be the shortest land connection between China and Southern Europe, Azerbaijani Minister says
Jeyhun Bayramov. Source: Azernews On September 23, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that the Zangezur Corridor (through southern Armenia) would provide the shortest land connection between China and Southern Europe, Azernews reported, citing the Ministry. Bayramov said this at the 46th annual ministerial meeting of the G77 and China Group at the UN, on the topic entitled "Eliminating food, fuel and financial crises and ways to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals". He noted that the transportation junction to be established by the implementation of the Zangezur Corridor would provide the shortest land route between China and Southern Europe.
Chinese Ambassador and Georgia's Deputy Prime Minister discuss cooperation prospects
A photo from the meeting. Source: The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth of Georgia On September 23, An introductory meeting was held between the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth of Georgia Thea Tsulukiani, and the newly appointed Ambassador of China to Georgia, Zhou Qian, the Ministry reported. The conversation touched upon the existing cooperation between Georgia and China in culture and sports, and the possibilities of its deepening. Zhou Qian noted that the agreement between the Georgian Ministry and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of China on cooperation in 2021-2025 was a good basis for the development of cooperation in various culture and art fields. The Minister emphasized her interest in promoting the literature of the two countries in China and Georgia and expressed readiness to introduce Georgian literature to Chinese readers through various Chinese literary events and fairs, also, in cooperation with the Embassy, to translate the works of Chinese authors into Georgian. The conversation also touched upon the possibilities of development of cooperation of various museums operating in the system of the Ministry with the Chinese side and the promotion of Chinese cinema in Georgia. At the end of the meeting, the Ambassador invited the Minister to China.
Georgia and China maintain "an unwavering and consistent position" regarding support for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Georgia says
A photo from the meeting. Source: The MFA of Georgia On September 19, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Alexander Khvtisiashvili met with the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Zhou Qia, the Georgian MFA reported. It was reported that the two sides once again maintained "an unwavering and consistent position" regarding support for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The active and successful cooperation" between Georgia and China in the trade and economic sphere was emphasized. Reportedly, the conversation also touched upon the importance of exchanging high-level visits between the two countries and the positive dynamics in this regard before the pandemic. They discussed the possibility of taking appropriate steps in this direction and agreed on active cooperation.
China - Azerbaijan's third-biggest import partner In January-August 2022, Azerbaijan's third-biggest import partner was China with $1.3 billion, Azernews reported on September 21.
In January-August 2022, China was Georgia's third-biggest trading partner In January-August 2022, China was Georgia's third-biggest trading partner with $ 1 226.6 million, which amounted to 10.3% of the total Georgian trade, the National Statistics Office of Georgia reported on September 19. China was Georgia's top trading partner by exports with $502.6 million, which was 14.1% of total exports. Compared to January-August 2021 that was a 19.2% growth. China was also the third-biggest import partner of Georgia with $724 million (8.7% of total imports) which was a 39.3% growth compared to the same period last year.
Chinese Ambassador visits Armenia's Kotayk province On September 23, the Chinese Ambassador to Armenia Fan Yong reported that he had visited Armenia's Kotayk province and met with the Governor, Aharon Sahakyan, and Mayor of Tsaghkadzor, Artur Harutyunyan. Reportedly, the Ambassador also visited the local factory "Rare Water".
Huawei donated school supplies to the children from the Khazar district of Azerbaijan
A photo from the event. Source: Azertac Chinese Huawei donated school supplies to the children from the Khazar district of Azerbaijan, Azertac reported on September 20. The head of Executive Authority of Khazar district, Milli Majlis members Soltan Mammadov, Rauf Aliyev, General Director of Huawei Technologies Azerbaijan LLC Xu Hui and other officials attended the donation ceremony. "We will spare no effort to keep cultivating more young talents. Apart from business operations, CSR (Huawei's global Corporate and Social Responsibility) activities always bring inspiration to keep us moving forward," David Xu, Huawei Azerbaijan General Manager said. Reportedly, about 50 students from minority families were granted school supplies and school uniforms.
Georgia's Alte University held an event dedicated to Confucius Institute Day
A photo from the event. Source: The Alte University On September 24, cultural activities dedicated to Confucius Institute Day were held in the Confucius Institute at Georgia's Alte University, the University reported.
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