The high-level meetings, signed documents, and agreements reached during President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to the People’s Republic of China marked the beginning of a new phase in Azerbaijan-China relations. During the meetings held as part of the visit, concrete plans were outlined to deepen cooperation in political, economic, humanitarian, and technological fields.
In particular, the emphasis on Azerbaijan’s geostrategic position within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative further strengthened the country’s role as a reliable transit and logistics hub between East and West. Infrastructure projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the Baku International Sea Trade Port were highlighted as key points of connection in cooperation with China.
A new direction in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy
During the visit, the signing of numerous documents between Azerbaijan and China covering cooperation in agriculture, energy, transportation, and high technologies laid a strong foundation for the further expansion of economic ties. These steps will contribute to the development of a favorable mutual investment environment and an increase in trade turnover.
The development of humanitarian relations was also a key focus. The teaching of the Azerbaijani language and culture at Chinese universities, along with the expansion of youth and student exchange programs, will further strengthen mutual understanding and cultural closeness.
All these factors once again confirm that President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit is a successful continuation of Azerbaijan’s balanced, multifaceted foreign policy course based on national interests. This visit also reflects Azerbaijan’s increasingly strengthened position on the international stage amid the growing global geopolitical dynamics.
Elevation of bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership
Kang Jie, Ph.d., Political Science, Associate Research Fellow, Department for American Studies, China Institute of International Studies, in an interview with APA, described President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to China as a significant event reflecting a new phase in China-Azerbaijan relations.
“President Aliyev's current visit to China marks a milestone in China-Azerbaijan relations. Merely nine months after elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, the leaders of both countries decided to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership – an unprecedented move in China's diplomatic history. This not only demonstrates the friendship between the two heads of state and their high-level political mutual trust, but also highlights the bright prospects for bilateral relations,” Kang Jie stated.
According to him, the two nations have achieved alignment between China's Belt and Road Initiative and Azerbaijan's national development strategies of Revival of the Silk Road and the 2030 Socio-Economic Development Strategy: “The two nations have achieved alignment between China's Belt and Road Initiative and Azerbaijan's national development strategies of "Revival of the Silk Road" and the "2030 Socio-Economic Development Strategy". The establishment of a new intergovernmental investment cooperation working group will further strengthen the bonds of common development between the two countries. Significant potential exists for cooperation in industrial digitalization, green energy transition, Trans-Caspian Corridor construction, and cultural exchanges.”
Visa-free regime and new economic routes
The Chinese expert emphasized that significant potential exists for cooperation in industrial digitalization, green energy transition, Trans-Caspian Corridor construction, and cultural exchanges.
“The signing of a reciprocal visa exemption agreement will facilitate personnel exchanges, enhance mutual understanding between the peoples, and promote cultural interactions and tourism development. China has consistently supported peace and reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected regions. As a responsible partner, China is willing to deepen practical cooperation with Azerbaijan in post-conflict reconstruction, including infrastructure rehabilitation, humanitarian demining, and sustainable development projects,” Kang Jie added.
Comprehensive strategic partnership and new geopolitical dynamics
Vusal Guliyev, an expert on East Asia at the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), described President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to China as a strategic turning point in Azerbaijan-China relations to APA.
“President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to the People’s Republic of China marked a significant turning point in Azerbaijan-China relations against the backdrop of shifting global power dynamics and an evolving geopolitical landscape. The signing of the Joint Declaration on Establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the visit confirmed the transition of bilateral ties to a new phase and reinforced Azerbaijan’s role as a rising geopolitical center in the Eurasian space. In China’s diplomatic vocabulary, the term ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ is reserved only for countries that enjoy a high level of trust and are engaged in multifaceted cooperation. This status opens a new chapter in Azerbaijan-China relations, expanding cooperation beyond economic sectors to also include energy, security, infrastructure, digital economy, culture, and technology,” Vusal Guliyev stated.
Multimodal transport and economic cooperation with China
According to the political scientist, the Agreement on International Multimodal Transportation signed during the visit and the agreement on the joint development of Trans-Caspian express routes will further strengthen Azerbaijan’s role in the Middle Corridor: “Azerbaijan will become a reliable transit hub connecting China with Europe, as the Northern Corridor through Russia faces sanctions. At the same time, cooperation is expanding in areas such as renewable energy, digital economy, agriculture, and industry. China’s advanced experience in green technologies will significantly support Azerbaijan’s economic diversification and energy transition policies. The establishemt of a Working Group on investment cooperation between the two countries will strengthen the institutional foundation in this area. Additionally, agreements on expanding cooperation in tourism and education will contribute to enhancing people-to-people contacts and soft power relations.”
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