China-Azerbaijan trade, investment set to hit record levels in 2026—envoy

Trade and investment between China and Azerbaijan are expected to reach record levels in 2026, Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Lu Mei said.

Lu Mei made the remarks at an event marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

She also said the volume of freight transported this year along the China-Europe rail express route via Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea is expected to double.

“Practical cooperation is a solid foundation of our relations. It is expected that this year, the volume of trade and investment between China and Azerbaijan will reach record levels. Our cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative is bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. It is expected that this year, the volume of freight transported along the China-Europe rail express route via Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea will double,” she said.

The ambassador described 2026 as a year of significant achievements in China-Azerbaijan relations.

“Just recently, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev participated in the Global Sustainable Transport Forum in China and signed an intergovernmental agreement between China and Azerbaijan on international road transport, which will provide additional impetus to our cooperation in the field of transport connectivity,” Lu Mei said.

She added that China and Azerbaijan consistently support each other in safeguarding their sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, while respecting each other’s chosen development paths.

“Thanks to the strategic leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, our high-level cooperation serves as an example of mutual trust and equal and friendly partnership between states. Looking ahead, it can be said that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Azerbaijan has broad prospects and enormous potential. China is ready to join efforts with Azerbaijan to fully implement the important agreements reached by the two heads of state, so that they bring even greater benefits to our countries and peoples,” she added.

According to Lu Mei, Beijing and Baku also closely cooperate and coordinate their positions on multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

By Vafa Guliyeva