Bilateral relations between China, Azerbaijan mulled

/By AzerNews/

By Laman Sadigova

Azerbaijan and China have explored prospects for future relations as Ali Hasanov, the Presidential Assistant for Public and Political Affairs visited Beijing invited by the Communist Party of China.

During the visit, Hasanov met vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee Du Qinglin, who described Azerbaijan as “the best friend and partner of China”.

He highlighted bilateral, regional and international relations, and also spoke of ties between the Communist Party of China and the New Azerbaijan Party.

Hasanov handed over President Ilham Aliyev`s letter addressed to President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping to Mr Qinglin. He highlighted the history of Azerbaijani-Chinese friendship, and thanked the government of China for supporting Azerbaijan in the independent years.

The sides stressed the importance of continuing mutual support in international organizations.

“Azerbaijan builds its bilateral relations with all counties based on the three key principles of international law – sovereignty of countries, protection of the territorial integrity and resolution of disputes through peace and principles of non-interference in internal affairs,” Hasanov said.

He also thanked China for supporting a peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity, on the basis of the four resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

Qinglin, in turn, said China has always supported Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity, and backed an international law-based solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The sides further exchanged views on the issues related to the humanitarian, political and economic fields. They reaffirmed the importance of reciprocal visits in terms of developing partnership.

Hasanov later met Zhou Li, the vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Li recalled his visit to Azerbaijan as the head of a Chinese delegation. He hailed Azerbaijan`s development as steady, particularly economic reforms, social stability, and the achievements in improving the well-being of the population.

The sides stressed the importance of conducting dialogue and political consultations between various bodies of the two countries amid difficult international situation.

He noted that China is ready to share its potential in economic field and increase the volume of investment in Azerbaijan.

During the visit, Hasanov also visited the city of Tianjin where he toured several facilities, including the free trade zone, Airbus aircraft plant and a foreign trade port.

He also met Dmitry Mezentsev, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary-General. They discussed Azerbaijan`s joining the organization in the capacity of Dialogue Partner.

Hasanov was accompanied by Azerbaijani Ambassador to China Latif Gandilov.

Indeed, the interests of the two countries appear not only in bilateral relations, but also in regional and international issues. China’s support after Azerbaijan got its independence is a valuable factor in today’s relations.

The Silk Road plays a crucial role in the development of the historical ties between the two countries. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev supported the initiative of China’s President Xi Jin-ping on the economic corridor of the ancient Silk Road, hoping that this project will give a powerful boost to the economy, not only in the region but also around the world.