Chinese envoy to Azerbaijan to visit Shusha for international conference Seeks collaboration on Baku Metro

The new Ambassador of China to Azerbaijan, Lu Mei, has announced that she will visit the city of Shusha at the end of this week as a representative of the Communist Party of China. 

The visit is by invitation of the New Azerbaijan Party and is aimed at participating in an international conference of party organisations from around the world, Caliber.Az reports.

Speaking at a recent briefing for journalists, Ambassador Lu Mei said, “In less than two months since the start of my tenure, I have met with many officials of Azerbaijan.”

She added that she has already held meetings with the Azerbaijani president's assistant, the prime minister, the foreign minister, the speaker of the Parliament, and the minister of digital technologies and transport.

The ambassador also highlighted the significance of President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to China in April this year. “President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to China in April this year, his meetings and discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the signed documents have elevated the relations between our countries to the level of a strategic partnership. A new chapter of bilateral relations between our countries has begun,” she said.

Looking ahead, Ambassador Lu Mei mentioned an upcoming visit by the leadership of the Azerbaijani Media Development Agency to China, expected at the end of this month.

She also drew attention to the growing economic and tourism ties between the two countries. “I can note with satisfaction the 35.5% growth in trade turnover between Azerbaijan and China since the beginning of the year, reaching $1.4 billion. Also, since April, the number of Chinese tourists arriving in Azerbaijan has increased by 70%. The cancellation of the visa regime will allow this number to increase even further; the ratification of the agreement on this matter is currently underway.”

Regarding infrastructure cooperation, the ambassador noted, “In addition, Chinese companies are now actively involved in exploring possible participation in the implementation of approved plans for the development of the Baku Metro and the construction of new stations.”

By Khagan Isayev