Baku, Beijing mark new era with sweeping bilateral agreements PHOTO

In a landmark event on April 23 in Beijing, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping gathered for a momentous ceremony marking a new chapter in bilateral relations between their countries.

The signing of two crucial documents took place with the formal announcement posted on the official website of the President of Azerbaijan, per Caliber.Az.

The first significant document to be signed was the "Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China," cementing a new era of collaboration between the two nations.

In addition, representatives from the relevant ministries of both countries signed several important agreements.

Visa exemption and humanitarian cooperation

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, signed the "Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Citizens Holding Ordinary Passports" between the two governments. Additionally, they also signed the "Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Humanitarian Mine Action Cooperation," which focuses on collaboration between the Mine Action Agency of Azerbaijan and China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Legal and economic cooperation

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Minister Wang Yi also inked the "Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters" between Azerbaijan and China. In a separate agreement, Mustafayev and Chen Xiaodong, Director of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, signed an "Agreement on Technical and Economic Cooperation."

Science, technology, and intellectual property

Minister Bayramov and China’s Minister of Science and Technology, Yin Hejun, signed the "Protocol on Cooperation in Science and Technology" between Azerbaijan's Ministry of Science and Education and China’s Ministry of Science and Technology. Furthermore, Bayramov and China’s Minister of Justice, He Rong, formalised the "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation" between the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan and China.

Cultural collaboration and tourism

Azerbaijan and China also strengthened their cultural ties. Foreign Minister Bayramov and China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Sun Yeli, signed the "Protocol on Cultural Cooperation for 2025–2029," which aims to promote cultural exchange between the two nations.

Intellectual property and space cooperation

In terms of intellectual property, Bayramov and Shen Changyu, Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" between the Azerbaijan Intellectual Property Agency and China’s National Intellectual Property Administration.

Additionally, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, and the Head of China’s National Space Administration, Shan Zhongde, signed a "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Outer Space and the Peaceful Use of Outer Space."

Investment and trade initiatives

Israfil Mammadov, Executive Director of Azerbaijan's State Oil Fund, and Zhang Qingsong, Chairman and CEO of the China Investment Corporation, signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" to deepen cooperation between their respective investment entities. At the same time, Shahin Mustafayev and Zheng Shanjie, Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, signed a "Cooperation Plan on Joint Promotion of the 'One Belt, One Road' Initiative."

Further strengthening economic ties, Foreign Minister Bayramov and Minister Zheng also signed the "Memorandum of Understanding on Green and Low-Carbon Development Cooperation," aimed at environmental and energy sustainability. Mikayil Jabbarov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, and China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Li Lecheng, formalised a similar agreement focusing on industrial cooperation.

Transportation and digital cooperation

Transportation collaboration was solidified with Nabiyev and Liu Wei, China’s Minister of Transport, signing the "Agreement on International Multimodal Transportation." Minister Jabbarov and China’s Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, signed two vital agreements: the "Memorandum on Deepening Bilateral Cooperation on Unimpeded Trade" and the "Memorandum on Strengthening Investment Cooperation in the Digital Economy."

Media collaboration

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to China, Bunyad Huseynov, and Fu Hua, President of China’s Xinhua News Agency, signed an "Agreement on News Exchange and Cooperation" between Azerbaijan’s Azertag and Xinhua. Further extending media ties, Huseynov and Shen Haixiong, President of China Media Group, signed a "Cooperation Agreement" between Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting and China Media Group.

City relations and digital economy

Huseynov also signed a "Letter of Intent on Establishing Sister City Relations" between Nakhchivan and Urumqi. In addition, Jabbarov and Liu Liehong, Head of China’s National Data Administration, signed a "Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation in the Digital Economy."

By Tamilla Hasanova