Deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership with China is one of the key priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said in an exclusive interview with Global Times.
According to the foreign minister, Azerbaijan–China relations are long-term, multidimensional, and mutually beneficial. They are built on a high level of political trust, close dialogue between the leaders of the two countries, and active engagement at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan views China as one of its most important economic partners and attaches strategic importance to aligning its national transport infrastructure with China-backed global connectivity initiatives. In particular, special emphasis is placed on the development of the Middle Corridor as a reliable route linking East and West.
Among the promising areas of cooperation, the minister highlighted renewable energy, green technologies, and sustainable development, as well as humanitarian cooperation in the fields of education, culture, and tourism.
Addressing international issues, Bayramov reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s firm support for the “One China” principle, stressing that Baku does not recognize Taiwan’s independence and considers any attempts to destabilize the situation in the region as a threat to international security.
The foreign minister also underlined the importance of multilateral cooperation mechanisms, noting Azerbaijan’s role in platforms such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), and cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. According to him, cooperation with China within these frameworks contributes to strengthening regional stability and sustainable development.
Special attention in the interview was paid to the Belt and Road Initiative and its alignment with Azerbaijan’s national strategy to revive the Silk Road. Bayramov said that in 2025 the modernization of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway was completed, increasing its capacity to 5 million tons per year, while cargo volumes along the Middle Corridor have grown by nearly 90% since 2022.
The foreign minister emphasized that Azerbaijan views the Middle Corridor and the Zangezur Corridor as complementary elements of Eurasian logistics, strengthening the country’s role as a key transport hub between Asia and Europe and contributing to regional stability and economic growth.
