Ambassador: Xi Jinping hails Azerbaijani leader as long-time friend of Chinese people which is highest accolade

Newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Azerbaijan Lu Mei has said that Chinese President Xi Jinping referred to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as a long-time friend of the Chinese people, which is the highest accolade the Chinese people give to foreign friends.

She made this statement during a briefing with journalists, Caliber.Az reports.

Lu noted that during his visit, China demonstrated the highest level of respect to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva. Ambassador Lu emphasised that many people in Azerbaijan take great pride in knowing that their president is so highly respected in this great country.

In addition to the grand welcoming ceremony, which was broadcast on television, there were several memorable moments during the visit. At the ceremony, the Chinese military band specially performed the Azerbaijani patriotic song "Ey Vatan" ("Homeland").

This song is widely performed in Azerbaijan and is also one of President Aliyev’s favourite songs. During the visit, China presented President Aliyev with a special and meaningful gift—a short video prepared by the teachers and students of the Second Primary School in the Malipo County of Yunnan Province. In the video, the children expressed their heartfelt thanks to President Aliyev for his contributions to improving the conditions for learning at the school.

President Aliyev also visited Tiananmen Square, where he laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes, paying tribute to those who bravely dedicated their lives to the independence of the Chinese nation and the liberation of its people. This was a powerful gesture of respect for the Chinese people. Leyla Aliyeva, the vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, also made a special trip to the Beijing Foreign Studies University, where she had a warm exchange with young Chinese students learning the Azerbaijani language. 

"I have recently started working in Baku, but I have already met many Azerbaijani friends who speak Chinese fluently. We can communicate without any barriers using Chinese for professional exchanges," said Ambassador Lu. 

Looking ahead, she noted that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Azerbaijan has vast and promising prospects.

"China is ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan, working hard to implement the consensus between the heads of state and to promote even more active development of bilateral relations," the ambassador added.

By Naila Huseynova