President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an exclusive interview to China’s Xinhua News Agency.

- Dear Mr. President, we remember you and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping signing the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership at the 24th SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Summit in Astana last July. In that document, you jointly declared the establishment of strategic partnership based on the principles of mutual respect, equal trust, mutual support and cooperation. This is an important milestone in the history of relations between the two countries. In your opinion, what important results have been achieved in the development of relations between China and Azerbaijan and how would you evaluate them?

Indeed, the “Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China” was adopted during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit held in Astana on July 3, 2024. The Declaration highlights that since the establishment of diplomatic relations on April 2, 1992, our bilateral cooperation has yielded many fruitful results. At the same time, we agreed to further expand our cooperation, enhance coordination in international affairs, jointly safeguard our shared interests, and work together to promote regional and global peace, stability, and development.

We jointly declared that our strategic partnership would rest on such fundamental principles of bilateral relations as mutual respect, equality, trust, mutual support, mutual benefit and cooperation. In the Declaration, we also reaffirmed that we are priority and reliable partners who respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and who pursue an independent foreign policy based on the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful coexistence.

I truly believe that our meeting in Astana, along with the Joint Declaration adopted as a result, marks a historic milestone that opens a new chapter in Azerbaijan-China relations. During the bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping, I emphasized that the Declaration officially elevates Azerbaijan and China to the level of strategic partnership — a remarkable achievement and also a significant responsibility. During our meeting in Astana, I was invited to pay a state visit to China, and I was pleased to accept the invitation. In turn, I extended an invitation to the President of China to visit Azerbaijan at a convenient time. I am confident that the mutual exchange of high-level visits will provide fresh impetus to the further deepening of our bilateral relations.

We attach particular importance to enhancing cooperation between our countries across all areas of mutual interest and regard the deepening of bilateral relations as a key priority of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Today, we can confidently state that our relations have gained strong positive momentum. In 2024, high-ranking representatives of the government and parliament, heads of ministries and agencies, the Prosecutor General's Office, as well as officials from the Presidential Administration and the central office of the New Azerbaijan Party, paid visits to China.

Last year, the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Chairman of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries visited Azerbaijan. The participation of the Vice Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP29, was a landmark event. The conference was attended by representatives from 196 countries, over 150 international organizations and UN agencies, as well as nearly 2,000 NGOs. The key outcomes of COP29 include the provision of climate financing for developing countries, the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, and the full implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

As part of its COP29 presidency, Azerbaijan proposed 14 global initiatives highlighting the interlinkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, which have already garnered broad international support. The agreements concluded, the initiatives endorsed, and the decisions adopted are of exceptional importance for the future of humanity and the global climate agenda.

Despite the large-scale and unfounded pressure and boycott campaign led by certain Western circles against Azerbaijan in connection with this globally significant event, we once again demonstrated unwavering political will and a high level of professionalism. This enabled us to host the Conference at the highest level, achieve historic results, and make a tangible breakthrough in multilateral negotiations. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Chinese delegation for its active participation and valuable contribution to global efforts in combating climate change.

- According to the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan, China accounted for 7.9 percent of Azerbaijan's total foreign trade in 2024. China is your country's fourth largest trading partner and has become the main source of imports for the first time. On November 24, the first Azerbaijani train with export goods left Baku for China. Trading houses of Azerbaijan are emerging in Chinese cities, Azerbaijani carpets, pomegranate juice and other high-quality products are reaching thousands of Chinese families. What is your view about the role of the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road in promoting this cooperation between the two countries?

- I would like to draw your attention to another significant agreement reached during my meeting with the President of the People's Republic of China in Astana. This pertains to the further expansion of trade and economic ties between our countries and the enhancement of their quality with new, high-value content.

In 2024, the trade volume between Azerbaijan and China increased by 20.7 percent compared to the previous year, totaling 3.744 billion US dollars. China has become Azerbaijan's fourth-largest trading partner, with its share in the country's foreign trade reaching 7.9 percent. Additionally, China leads in imports, accounting for 17.69 percent of Azerbaijan’s total imports.

Despite the progress in trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, there remains significant untapped potential. I believe that the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation is a vital mechanism for deepening bilateral economic ties, identifying promising areas of cooperation, and further consolidating them within the legal framework. The timely implementation of the Commission's decisions will be crucial to the success of our efforts. Prior to my visit to China, the 10th meeting of the Commission is scheduled to take place in Baku.

The Azerbaijani trading and wine houses you mentioned are already operational in several cities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Qingdao, Chengdu, Nanjing, and Zhangjiajie. They are making a significant contribution to the development of our bilateral trade relations. Additionally, Azerbaijan has established a trading house on the renowned international online platform “JD” in China.

To date, a total of 375 companies with Chinese capital are registered in Azerbaijan, 298 of which operate actively within the country.

Currently, negotiations are underway between Azerbaijan and China on the prospects for joint cooperation in the non-oil sector, in particular, in attracting direct investment in hi-tech and innovation, alternative and renewable energy.

As you may know, Azerbaijan was among the first countries to support the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by the President of the People’s Republic of China. We are implementing major projects in this direction. It is fair to say that, after China, Azerbaijan is the second-largest investor in this initiative, both domestically and abroad. Speaking at the Second Belt and Road Forum held in China in April 2019, I emphasized that this initiative not only establishes transport links but also strengthens inter-state relations, promotes dialogue and cooperation, and creates new opportunities for international trade.

We are expanding our cooperation with China within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative. Significant progress has already been made in this direction. Leveraging its advantageous geographical location, Azerbaijan continues to extensively develop international transport corridors, create modern infrastructure and invest additional funds in increasing their capacity in response to the sharp increase in cargo traffic through our territory.

Over the past 20 years, a total of 21,000 kilometers of highways have been constructed or renovated, along with 335 bridges and overpasses, 45 tunnels, and 163 overland and underground crossings. Significant progress has also been achieved in railway infrastructure, with more than 1,500 kilometers of new railways built and 1,800 kilometers of existing tracks modernized.

Major transport projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), and the Baku International Trade Seaport - one of the largest ports on the Caspian Sea - are unlocking new opportunities for economic and transport integration under the Belt and Road Initiative.

I would also like to emphasize that the Middle Corridor is a reliable and secure route linking Europe with Central Asia and China via the Caspian Sea. It stands out as the most competitive option for transporting goods between China and Europe, with its significance growing steadily.

In 2024, the volume of transit traffic between Azerbaijan and China reached 378,000 tons, marking an 86 percent increase compared to 2023. During the same year, 287 block trains were dispatched from China to Azerbaijan via the Middle Corridor in both import and transit modes.

- China and Azerbaijan are the centers of civilizations on the ancient Silk Road. Humanitarian exchanges between the two countries have flourished in recent years, especially in the fields of language education and tourism. Beijing Foreign Studies University has launched a program to study the Azerbaijani language. Interest in the Chinese language is growing steadily among Azerbaijani students. According to Azerbaijani sources, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Azerbaijan last year doubled compared to the previous year. What are your expectations regarding this trend?

- You have highlighted important areas of cooperation that both countries highly prioritize. The Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership emphasizes the continued development of cooperation in the field of education within the existing legal framework. At the same time, special attention has been devoted to collaboration in language education and promotion.

The number of citizens from both our countries pursuing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral studies at higher education institutions in Azerbaijan and China has been steadily increasing year by year. Several higher education institutions in Azerbaijan, in partnership with the Confucius Institute, offer studying of Chinese language. It is also encouraging that, in recent years, centers dedicated to the study of the Azerbaijani language and culture have been established in China. A dedicated academic department has been created in this regard. Fruitful cooperation is underway between the universities of both countries, and the necessary legal framework is being actively developed.

I am confident that state support for teaching Chinese and Azerbaijani languages in educational institutions, as well as exchanges between teachers and training of specialists, will foster effective interaction between our countries across various fields. This will bring our nations closer together and contribute to the cultural enrichment of both peoples.

Last year, Azerbaijan unilaterally introduced a visa-free regime for Chinese citizens to promote tourism and facilitate business activities. Enabling mutual visa-free travel for the citizens of our countries will increase tourism flows and further expand our economic, humanitarian, and cultural ties.

- In 2016, Azerbaijan became an SCO dialogue partner country and is an important member of the SCO family. It was during the SCO Astana Summit that the two countries established a strategic partnership. China, as the SCO chair in 2024-2025, will host the 25th meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council in 2025. What are your expectations from this summit?

- I believe that China's chairmanship under the slogan of “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move” will contribute to the further institutionalization and strengthening of its role in the international arena. China is one of the founding countries of the SCO and continues to be one of the leading forces in developing the organization. I am confident that the efforts made by China under its comprehensive chairmanship program will provide additional momentum for strengthening multilateral cooperation based on the principles of the SCO, as well as advancing the implementation of its objectives.

Last year, at the invitation of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I participated in the SCO summit. Currently, Azerbaijan holds the status of a dialogue partner within the SCO. Our cooperation with the SCO spans a wide range of areas, including the fight against terrorism, extremism, and separatism, as well as regional security and stability. We also focus on issues such as inter-civilizational dialogue, multiculturalism, and the promotion of tolerance. As is well-known, Azerbaijan plays an active role in these areas on the international stage.

We place great importance on the activities of the SCO and fully support the principles that underpin this organization. As a reliable partner and a key state in the region, Azerbaijan continues to contribute to maintaining international and regional peace and security. We are also actively engaged in implementing large-scale trade, economic, transport, infrastructure, and energy projects designed to expand trade, commercial, and investment ties, thereby contributing to global economic growth and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

I am also confident that the close bilateral cooperation between our countries will significantly contribute to deepening Azerbaijan's cooperation with the SCO and enhancing its status within the organization.

China and Azerbaijan are important members of the Global South, maintaining close cooperation on multilateral platforms and effectively defending international justice. How do you assess the growing role of the Global South in shaping global governance? Additionally, how do you evaluate China's concept of a "community of common destiny"?

Last year, in Astana, President Xi Jinping and I expressed our commitment to promoting the creation of a community of shared destiny for mankind. We advocate for common values such as peace, development, equality, justice, democracy, and freedom, while opposing hegemony and power politics. We have also reiterated our readiness to jointly support the international system under the auspices of the UN, uphold its role in international affairs, adhere to genuine multilateralism, and champion an international order based on international law and the goals and principles of the UN Charter.

I have already mentioned that, as part of the Global South, we have consistently defended its interests. From 2019 to 2023, Azerbaijan chaired the Non-Aligned Movement, the second-largest international organization after the UN. During our presidency, we made several systematic efforts to enhance the role and status of this important platform uniting the countries of the Global South. One of our key initiatives during the COP29 presidency was to build stronger bridges between the Global South and the Global North.

Today, the countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which together form the Global South, make up nearly two-thirds of the UN member states. They represent about 80 percent of the world's population, approximately 50 percent of the global GDP, and about half of the total volume of international trade. The participation of the Global South in shaping a more sustainable, just, and secure world order is a natural and necessary process.

- Almost six years have passed since your visit to China in April 2019. Could you share your impressions of that visit and any previous ones? What are your expectations for your upcoming visit to China?

- China is one of the world’s fastest-growing countries. Under the resolute and wise leadership of President Xi Jinping, China's achievements in all areas have elevated it to the ranks of the most powerful and advanced nations, further strengthening its position on the global stage. President Xi Jinping’s leadership has driven significant progress, and China’s development serves not only the interests of its people but also benefits the entire world.

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, I paid a working visit to China in 2014 and a state visit to the People’s Republic of China in 2015. In 2019, at the invitation of the President of China, I participated in the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing.

I have fond memories of our meetings and fruitful discussions with President Xi Jinping. I am pleased to see that Azerbaijan-China relations, grounded in ancient history and rich traditions, are developing along an upward trajectory, with our strategic partnership gaining new and meaningful content. Our active dialogue, built on mutual respect and trust through personal meetings, telephone conversations, and exchanges of letters, plays a crucial role in deepening bilateral relations.

I can say with confidence that all previous visits to the People's Republic of China featured a rich program and were accompanied by the signing of numerous important bilateral documents, aimed at expanding comprehensive Azerbaijan-China cooperation in alignment with our mutual interests. I am convinced that the upcoming visit will further deepen the strategic partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China.