Azerbaijan’s Parliament Speaker highlights strategic ties with China at Boao Forum

Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis (parliament) Speaker Sahiba Gafarova addressed the annual Boao Forum for Asia in China, underscoring the country’s growing partnership with Beijing.

Gafarova emphasised that Azerbaijan supports the initiatives of Chinese President Xi Jinping in global development, security, civilisation, and governance, which provide a comprehensive foundation for building a more inclusive and sustainable world, Caliber.Az reports, citing the parliament’s press service.

“Our shared perspectives bring our countries closer together. On the eve of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and China, our cooperation has reached a new level. Recent high-level visits, including President Ilham Aliyev’s trips to China, and the signing of joint declarations on strategic partnership, demonstrate the depth of political dialogue and mutual trust,” the speaker noted.

She added that Azerbaijan continues to actively engage in addressing key issues such as dialogue between civilisations, the promotion of multiculturalism and tolerance, including through platforms like the Global Baku Forum.

Gafarova also highlighted that Azerbaijan will host the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in May this year. In the autumn, Baku will hold the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

The speaker stressed Azerbaijan’s important role in ensuring the region’s energy security and noted that investments in green energy will further strengthen this contribution. Azerbaijan is among the earliest supporters of the Belt and Road Initiative and ranks second in project investment volume after China.

She also pointed out that the Middle Corridor has proven to be an effective, optimal, and secure route connecting Europe with Central Asia and China via the Caspian. The establishment of transport links between Azerbaijan’s western regions and Nakhchivan as part of the peaceful settlement with Armenia will further enhance the corridor’s operation.