Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has had a meeting with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in our country Guo Min.

Telling the Ambassador that she was glad to greet her at the Parliament of Azerbaijan, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova mentioned the high growth dynamics demonstrable in the relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China. The relations between Azerbaijan and China are a strategic partnership by nature; our countries co-operate successfully in many areas. Sahiba Gafarova added that the period of Ms Guo Min’s diplomatic tenure in our country, too, had been marked by the progress of our relations.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis emphasised that the high-level political dialogue of the Heads of State of Azerbaijan and China, one that is based on mutual trust, had created a solid foundation for the advancement of the comprehensive bilateral relations. Also, the top-notch contacts between the Heads of State have a key role in the deepening and developing the connexions between the two countries in all the areas covered. The five visits of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan to the People’s Republic of China were brought up in this regard.

Further, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was talked of as the main driver behind the cultural and humanitarian exchange of the two countries. Several successful projects implemented in conjunction with Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries were mentioned.

The constantly manifest mutual support over matters of special importance to both our countries was mentioned as well. Azerbaijan has always supported the ‘one China’ policy and China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty unequivocally. China, on its part, has invariably supported our country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Amongst other things, our countries provide each other with backing in international organisations, too.

They were discussing issues related to the inter-parliamentary co-operation between Azerbaijan and China; it was stressed that the co-operation served to bring our countries and peoples closer. Both countries’ parliaments have friendship groups in action. It was said then that, on the other hand, there were opportunities to broaden the inter-parliamentary ties further, bilaterally as well as through international organisations.

The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in our country Guo Min expressed satisfaction with her activities in Azerbaijan before she pointed up the dynamic and steady progress of the connexions between Azerbaijan and China. The diplomat underscored the exceedingly important role of the Heads of State’s relationship in the advancement of our links. According to her, the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping had sent President Ilham Aliyev a congratulatory letter on the occasion of Mr Aliyev’s victory in the extraordinary presidential election held in our country.

Besides, the diplomat offered her congratulations on the forthcoming hosting of the COP-29 by Azerbaijan.

The Ambassador spoke about the considerable role of the inter-parliamentary ties in the development of the relations between the two countries, and thanked the Azerbaijani Parliament for the support to China on key matters.

It was said at the meeting that the ancient Silk Way unites nations. The relevant co-operation is afoot between our countries. Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to support the ‘One Belt, One Way’ initiative proposed by the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China. Important relevant projects have been implemented in our country; the transport capacity of Azerbaijan has grown significantly and new opportunities have been generated to undertake major economic projects.

Then, information was presented about the large-scale restoration and reclamation work apace in the de-occupied territories of Azerbaijan – including the ‘Smart Town’, ‘Smart Village’ and ‘Green Energy’ projects.

Ambassador Guo Min said that she had visited those territories and had observed the work going on there.

There was also an exchange of opinions about other matters of shared interest at the meeting.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis