Chinese leader calls Azerbaijani president true friend as bilateral ties reach new heights Ambassador Lu Mei told briefing

The recent visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to China has been hailed as a landmark event, significantly advancing the bilateral relationship between the two nations. Lu Mei, Ambassador of China to Azerbaijan, underscored the success of the visit during a briefing with media representatives.

Ambassador Lu Mei revealed that Ilham Aliyev has visited China eight times and met personally with Chinese President Xi Jinping on ten occasions. She emphasized the depth of their relationship, noting that President Xi Jinping regards Ilham Aliyev as a close friend of China, highlighting a personal rapport that underpins the diplomatic ties between the two countries, Caliber.Az reports.

Describing the recent visit—Aliyev’s longest to China, spanning five days and coinciding with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit—as historic, Lu Mei noted that it resulted in the signing of new agreements and the reinforcement of firm mutual support. The visit provided a robust platform for both leaders to deepen cooperation across multiple strategic domains.

The ambassador highlighted Aliyev’s confirmation of China’s unwavering support on sensitive issues, including the firm stance against any moves toward the separation of China and Taiwan. Furthermore, President Xi underscored the critical importance of expanding collaboration within the Belt and Road Initiative, enhancing the capacity of the Middle Corridor—a key transit route linking East and West—and fostering partnerships in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and artificial intelligence.

“Overall, cooperation between our countries has strategic prospects,” Ambassador Lu Mei affirmed, pointing to a forward-looking partnership grounded in shared interests and mutual respect.

By Vafa Guliyeva