Its foundation is not only the geopolitical interests of each country but also, unexpectedly, the similar approaches of Baku and Beijing to pressing contemporary issues, including their philosophical content.
Let’s delve into this, at least in general terms, by making a brief excursion into the history of relations between our countries. This will undoubtedly help us see the non-spontaneity of all the provisions enshrined in the document signed by both parties.
First of all, it should be noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping is known as a political leader who always advocates for the mutual enrichment of various cultures and civilizations. It is no coincidence that almost all Chinese sources emphasize his belief that the diversity of civilizations and mutual understanding “support the progress of humanity.” Xi Jinping particularly emphasizes an approach to civilizations based on the principles of equality, dialogue, and inclusiveness, advocating for the preservation of traditional culture. In his view, cultural and historical heritage is a “precious and irreplaceable resource,” and therefore, “no civilization can be considered superior to another. Each is unique.”
Xi Jinping also believes that humanity is increasingly becoming a community with a shared future, where the interests of all are closely intertwined. This manifests in the greatest common denominator of all peoples’ aspirations for peace, development, prosperity, and, ultimately, building a better world.
Undoubtedly, this is beautifully stated, especially from a socio-philosophical perspective. In this context, we recall the ideas voiced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during his inauguration in early 2024. Noting the onset of the Third World War, he touched on significant ideological risks of today. One of the main tasks he identified was raising the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism and commitment to national and spiritual values.
Simultaneously, Ilham Aliyev repeatedly emphasized Azerbaijan’s model of multiculturalism (mutual understanding and respect among people considering ethnic and confessional diversity). Defining multiculturalism as a way of life in Azerbaijan, the head of state always emphasizes the country’s desire to positively influence regional and global processes through its initiatives.
We agree, this is a brilliant perspective on the situation in the country and the world, which sounds almost identical to Xi Jinping’s statements. Therefore, there is nothing surprising about the special mutual understanding between Beijing and Baku, the Chinese and Azerbaijani peoples, which manifested in the spirit of the strategic partnership document signed yesterday.
Regarding the geopolitical path, this too has its prehistory. Back in 2014, when Xi Jinping received Ilham Aliyev in Beijing as part of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, he highlighted the connection between the Chinese and Azerbaijani peoples, dating back “two thousand years” via the Great Silk Road. Therefore, “it is not surprising that there is a very solid foundation of political relations and a high level of mutual trust between us.” At that time, the Chinese leader expressed full support for the Azerbaijani people’s choice “on the path of development in accordance with national characteristics” and efforts “aimed at protecting sovereignty and independence.”
In turn, Ilham Aliyev, declaring Baku’s commitment to cooperation with China in all directions, noted plans to take concrete steps in this vector. These statements, made exactly ten years ago, have since gained further substance.
In 2016, Azerbaijan and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the joint promotion of the creation of the “Economic Belt of the Silk Road.” Three years later, at the “One Belt, One Road” Forum, Ilham Aliyev prioritized the creation of modern transport infrastructure for Azerbaijan, emphasizing that “using our geographical location, we invested in building bridges between Asia and Europe. Although we are a landlocked country, we have managed to turn Azerbaijan into one of the international transport hubs, contributing to cooperation among countries involved in the East-West and North-South corridor projects.”
In 2020, transit from Turkey to China via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway began. At that time, the prospect of Azerbaijan connecting the Trans-European and Trans-Asian railway lines was noted, effectively reviving the ancient Silk Road. The opening of all transport communications in the South Caucasus will further strengthen Azerbaijan as a trade-economic and transport-logistics link between China and Europe.
Two years later, Xi Jinping declared the “strategic partnership and high-level development” between Baku and Beijing. Special attention was given to prospects within the “Middle Corridor.”
The following year, Ilham Aliyev highlighted how Azerbaijan and China are “truly good partners and reliable friends,” calling China one of the most successful countries in the world, whose growth “is very important for all countries, including Azerbaijan.”
As a result of mutual understanding, in 2023, the countries signed an agreement on cooperation within the International Lunar Research Station and in the investment sphere. At the same time, Azerbaijani trading houses opened in China, and a Memorandum of Understanding in the energy sector was signed.
At the end of 2023, the Chinese ambassador to Azerbaijan, Guo Min, called our countries “truly strategic partners,” expressing Beijing’s high appreciation of Baku’s support for the “one China” principle and strong opposition to any interference in China’s internal affairs. “China values Sino-Azerbaijani friendship,” emphasized the ambassador.
In January 2024, a container train from Xi’an (China) to Baku (Azerbaijan) on the Middle Corridor (transiting through Kazakhstan) covered the distance from departure to destination in 11 days.
In April this year, Chinese sources reported that “for the second consecutive month, China has become Azerbaijan’s largest importer.”
At that time, Beijing committed to building a power plant in Karabakh with an installed capacity of 230 MW. Just two days ago, the countries signed a memorandum to increase cargo volumes through the Middle Corridor. The culmination of this mutual understanding was the Declaration of Strategic Partnership.
Surely, even the above-mentioned facts, which constitute only a small aspect of Azerbaijani-Chinese mutual understanding, are sufficient to see how close the positions of Beijing and Baku are in almost all areas. Perhaps the most valuable aspect here is the socio-philosophical dimension, which is clearly manifested in the approach of China and Azerbaijan to the most important life issues (in a global context).
This nuance allows us to approach the context of signing the strategic partnership document from deeper positions, clearly indicating the brilliant prospects for the development of Azerbaijani-Chinese relations in all areas.
Teymur Atayev
