BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. A reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, attended by Azerbaijani officials, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, the business community, and the media, took place today in Baku, Trend’s correspondent reports from the event.
The event was organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Azerbaijan. Lu Mei, the People’s Republic of China’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of Azerbaijan and diplomatic missions accredited in the country, were attending the event.
Speaking at the event Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said that Azerbaijan-China relations have reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
He noted that the People’s Republic of China, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, is growing stronger every year and today stands as one of the leading nations in contemporary global politics.
Shahin Mustafayev emphasized that Azerbaijani-Chinese relations are rooted in ancient history and rich traditions. According to him, the high level of mutual trust and support between the two countries is also clearly evident on the international stage.
“Our relations have developed even more dynamically, especially in recent years, and have entered a qualitatively new phase. The political will and joint efforts of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping played a decisive role in this,” the Deputy Prime Minister stated.
He emphasized that in April 2025, during President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to China, a Joint Statement was signed establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
According to Shahin Mustafayev, this historic document, which laid the foundation for a new phase in the development of bilateral relations, was an important outcome of the heads of state’s strategic vision.
“The continued intensive contacts at the level of heads of state over the past period, as well as regular reciprocal visits at various levels, once again demonstrate the strong momentum of Azerbaijan-China relations. Today, in accordance with the instructions of the heads of state, important steps are being taken to enrich our comprehensive strategic partnership with practical content,” he added.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the positive momentum of political dialogue is also reflected in regular reciprocal visits and high-level contacts.
“In 2026, a series of reciprocal visits took place between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China through the ministries of foreign affairs, interparliamentary relations, the general prosecutor’s offices, and the ministries of defense. Regular reciprocal visits by party delegations also play an important role in the development of bilateral relations,” Shahin Mustafayev noted.
He emphasized that, in addition to political dialogue, mutually beneficial cooperation is steadily expanding in the fields of trade and the economy, investment, transportation and transit, green energy, digital development, culture and humanitarian aid, tourism, interregional relations, and other areas.
In addition, Shahin Mustafayev noted that the activities of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission are of great importance for the practical implementation of the set tasks. According to him, the Commission regularly reviews key areas of cooperation and discusses next steps.
The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted the growing and steady development of Azerbaijani-Chinese trade and economic cooperation.
“Just as China is one of our country’s leading economic and trade partners, Azerbaijan is also China’s main trade partner in the South Caucasus region. Trade turnover for the first seven months of 2026 increased by 4.5% compared to the same period last year, reaching $2.16 billion,” he said.
Shahin Mustafayev noted that consistent efforts are underway to further expand trade ties and promote Azerbaijani products in the Chinese market.
“The Azerbaijani trade mission, which has been operating in China since 2018, as well as six Azerbaijani trading houses established in various cities across the country, play an important role in this effort,” added the Deputy Prime Minister.
In turn, Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Lu Mei said that China-Azerbaijan cooperation within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership established by Chinese Leader Xi Jinping and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, serves as an example of mutual trust and friendly cooperation between the two countries.
Lu Mei said this year had been productive for China-Azerbaijan cooperation. "This year has indeed been fruitful for China-Azerbaijan cooperation," Lu Mei said.
According to the ambassador, China and Azerbaijan have consistently supported each other on issues related to sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, while respecting each other's chosen development paths.
She noted that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Azerbaijan provides a basis for expanding high-level cooperation and strengthening mutual trust between the two countries.
Lu Mei emphasized that China and Azerbaijan will continue to develop cooperation based on mutual respect and common interests.
She added that mutual visa-free regime between China and Azerbaijan is helping to bring the peoples of the two countries closer together.
According to the ambassador, there is a high level of interest in the Chinese language and culture among Azerbaijan’s youth.
She noted that the development of humanitarian and cultural ties is an important part of expanding bilateral cooperation between China and Azerbaijan.
As part of the event, students from the Confucius Institute in Azerbaijan presented a program dedicated to Chinese culture to the guests.
Lu Mei also emphasized that China and Azerbaijan continue to strengthen people-to-people ties, alongside expanding economic, transportation, and investment cooperation.
“The China-Azerbaijan comprehensive strategic partnership has a bright future and great potential,” the ambassador said.
The event took place against the backdrop of strengthening bilateral economic ties between Azerbaijan and China. The two sides continue to work on expanding trade and investment cooperation and developing transport connectivity along regional routes.
Azerbaijan and China are also expanding their cooperation within the framework of the “Belt and Road” initiative, with Azerbaijan playing a key role as a transit hub connecting China to European and regional markets via the Middle Corridor.
The reception took place ahead of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which will be celebrated on October 1. The PRC was proclaimed on October 1, 1949, and this date is celebrated annually as China’s National Day.
Will be updated
