Azerbaijan reshapes foreign policy by cementing partnership with China Towards green growth

Azerbaijan has always declared its commitment to a balanced foreign policy and equidistance from various military blocs. This policy was vividly demonstrated during the last few days when President Ilham Aliyev received NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the next day the Assistant to the President, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev went on a visit to China.

Azerbaijan makes it clear that China is at least as valuable a partner for us as the West. Moreover, there is every reason to assert that Azerbaijan considers China as its priority strategic partner and is restructuring its foreign policy accordingly. Today's China means technology, investment in the non-oil sector, and a key partner in the development of transport and logistics projects.

Hajiyev's visit to the Celestial Empire was not one of protocol. The presidential aide, who heads the foreign policy department in President Aliyev's administration, met with Chen Jou, deputy head of the International Relations Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, Wang Chao, president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, Sun Weidong, deputy foreign minister, Zhao Yingmin, deputy minister of ecology and environment, and Nurlan Ermekbayev, deputy secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Following these meetings, Hikmet Hajiyev published notes on social network X. For example, after he met with Sun Weidong, he wrote: "Together with Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, we expressed satisfaction with bilateral cooperation and mutual desire to raise our traditionally friendly partnership to a qualitatively new level. There was an exchange of views on the further implementation of the Middle Corridor under the BRI [Belt and Road] initiative, interaction under COP29 as both countries represent the Global South, and mutual support in international organisations. China's support for Azerbaijan's green growth programme and digital transformation is highly appreciated."

The visit of the Azerbaijani president’s aide to China was rich in meetings and discussions and is undoubtedly an impetus for accelerating the process of development of bilateral relations with China, as well as with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

It is indicative that while in Beijing, Hajiyev also met with Pakistan's Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi. It is known that China and Pakistan are strategic allies, and this meeting in Beijing thus demonstrated Baku's desire to strengthen ties with this union.

Every cooperation has some kind of linchpin, usually related to the economy. Such a linchpin in the China-Azerbaijan partnership is the Middle Corridor, a transport artery connecting China with European markets and part of Beijing's global One Belt, One Road initiative.

Our country historically laid on the trade routes from China to Europe and the Middle East, collectively known as the Great Silk Road. Over time, due to various geopolitical circumstances, these routes fell into disrepair and became a historical artefact. However, China's gaining independence after years of colonisation and the Celestial Empire's frenzied economic growth at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries made it relevant to revive the old routes on a new technological turn.

Azerbaijan is located on the route of the Middle Corridor, which is part of the land route from China to Europe. The importance of this route has been further increased by the military action in Ukraine, which has effectively blocked the northern route through Russia, and by the escalation in the Red Sea, which has significantly hampered maritime transport through the Suez Canal. Azerbaijan, in line with its strategy of strengthening its sovereignty, is taking advantage of the economic and geopolitical reality. Our country has been involved in the Middle Corridor project for several years, primarily through the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. At the same time, Azerbaijan is currently investing in the modernisation of this road and related infrastructure to increase the passability of goods.

Hajiyev’s visit to China, therefore, became, on the one hand, a kind of result, and on the other hand, a factor in strengthening the foundation for further strategic cooperation between our countries. The unipolar world that the West has been trying to impose on the planet for several decades is unjust and repressive by nature. A world in which there are many poles more reflects the aspirations of various societies and states, on the one hand, to preserve their cultures, and on the other, to political and economic independence and prosperity. Only by maintaining balance in the world can you save yourself. Azerbaijan does not share the idea of total Western hegemony, or any other hegemony. We, therefore, strongly support China's desire to secure its superpower status. And Azerbaijan is ready to cooperate with any superpower that respects its sovereignty.

China, unlike a number of Western governments and institutions, has not allowed itself ambiguous steps and statements questioning Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty. And this is highly appreciated in Baku. We can say that the relations between our countries stand on a solid foundation of mutual respect and have a huge potential for development.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's congratulations to Ilham Aliyev on his re-election to the presidency demonstrate these relations very clearly. Comrade Xi mentioned among other things that "over the past years, China-Azerbaijan relations have been characterised by exemplary and stable development. High-level political trust has been established, the joint initiative "One Belt, One Road" has been promoted, and close cooperation in international affairs has been observed. I attach great importance to the development of China-Azerbaijan relations, cherish our good working relations and personal friendship, and am ready to make efforts together with you to promote bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields to a new level".

I would also like to recall the words of President Aliyev in his interview with China Media Group, broadcast on China Global Television Network on July 22, 2023: "As for the future of bilateral relations, we adhere to the policy of unanimity between China and Azerbaijan. Thus, I can only reiterate what I said: the relations are excellent. And they will only improve in the future".