Baku, Azerbaijan, April 25. President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev’s recent state visit to the
People’s Republic of China (PRC) on April 22-24, 2025, marks a new
qualitative stage in the strategic partnership between the two
countries, Azerbaijani political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.
According to the expert, this visit holds historic significance,
not only in its format but also in its outcomes.
“The high-level meeting with President Xi Jinping of the
People’s Republic of China, along with the signing of key
agreements and substantive negotiations, has laid a solid
foundation for the continued advancement of Azerbaijani-Chinese
relations
“The remarks made by President Xi Jinping of the People’s
Republic of China during his extended meeting with President Ilham
Aliyev in Beijing clearly reflected the core significance of the
visit. Xi Jinping described Azerbaijan as a reliable partner for
China, highlighting the country’s stability and sustainable
development under President Aliyev’s leadership, and underscored
its growing international standing.
In response, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that ties with
China have consistently held a special place in Azerbaijan’s
foreign policy. He expressed strong appreciation for China’s ‘Belt
and Road’ initiative, noting that Azerbaijan plays a key role in
the project and contributes significantly through its transport and
logistics capabilities. One of the most important aspects of the
meeting was the reaffirmation that both countries continue to
support each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he
said.
Garayev highlighted that several significant agreements spanning
a wide range of sectors were signed between Azerbaijan and China
during the visit.
“These included agreements on cooperation in the fields of
economy, transport, energy, information technologies, agriculture,
and humanitarian affairs. The signed documents reflect that
Azerbaijani-Chinese relations have entered a new phase focused on
delivering tangible, practical outcomes. Among them, the most
notable was the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of
Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China, signed by President
Ilham Aliyev and President Xi Jinping. In addition, key agreements
were reached in areas such as legal cooperation, trade, and
infrastructure. Altogether, these documents affirm both nations’
strong commitment to deepening collaboration in the years ahead,”
he added.
Touching on the Joint Declaration signed by President Ilham
Aliyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Garayev emphasized the
significance and breadth of the agreement.
“The Joint Statement lays the groundwork for a new chapter in
relations between the two nations. It is not merely a formal
diplomatic document, but a reflection of deepening cooperation
between Baku and Beijing, built on mutual trust and a long-term
strategic vision.
Forging such a partnership with a global power like China
further elevates Azerbaijan’s international standing, particularly
in the fields of energy and transportation, while opening new
avenues for economic collaboration under the framework of the ‘Belt
and One’ initiative. The statement also reaffirms Azerbaijan’s
growing importance in the East-West and North-South transport
corridors and reinforces its role as a dependable regional partner.
In essence, this Joint Statement marks a qualitative shift in
Azerbaijani-Chinese relations, now significantly strengthened in
both geopolitical and economic dimensions,” he added.
According to Garayev, Azerbaijan and China maintain political
relations grounded in the principles of mutual respect,
sovereignty, and non-interference in each other’s internal
affairs.
“China has consistently upheld a principled stance on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and on the issue of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. This position was reaffirmed during
President Ilham Aliyev’s recent visit to China.
Additionally, Azerbaijan unequivocally supports the ‘One China’
policy. Built on this foundation of trust, the two countries engage
in active cooperation within the United Nations, the Non-Aligned
Movement, and other international platforms. China also supports
Azerbaijan’s international initiatives, including the hosting of
major global forums and summits in Baku. Moreover, during the
extended meeting in Beijing, President Xi Jinping invited President
Ilham Aliyev to this year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Summit in China. President Aliyev’s acceptance of the invitation is
yet another testament to the high level of mutual trust and the
strength of relations between Baku and Beijing,” he added.
Political analyst Azer Garayev emphasized that President Ilham
Aliyev’s visit once again underscored the strategic nature and
dynamic progression of Azerbaijani-Chinese relations.
“This visit carries significant weight in terms of deepening
political dialogue between the two countries, broadening economic
cooperation, and reinforcing mutual support on international
platforms. It is more than a routine diplomatic engagement — the
agreements signed, understandings reached, and messages conveyed
mark the beginning of deeper, multifaceted collaboration in the
years ahead. Azerbaijan’s geopolitical location and China’s global
economic influence complement one another. In this context,
President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to China will be remembered as
a pivotal moment — one that shaped not only bilateral ties but also
the broader trajectory of regional development,” Garayev added.
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