Envoy: Azerbaijan-China ties reach historic high in 2025

The year 2025 has seen significant progress in relations between China and Azerbaijan, Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Lu Mei told journalists.

She said that bilateral ties between the two states have reached their highest level in history, achieving the status of a strategic partnership, Caliber.Az reports.

"There is a strong foundation of trust between our countries. The diplomacy of respected leaders Xi Jinping and Ilham Aliyev has been the driving force in elevating our bilateral relations to a new level. President Aliyev’s visit to China in April this year opened a new chapter in our friendly partnership," Lu Mei said.

She said China supports Azerbaijan’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and is helping implement large-scale projects, including the production of electric buses.

"Active cooperation is also underway within the framework of the Middle Corridor. Bilateral trade in 2025 has reached $44 billion, having increased by 21.9% on an annual basis. By the end of the year, we expect another record in bilateral trade," Lu Mei emphasised.

Highlighting the growing tourism cooperation between Azerbaijan and China, the envoy said the mutual visa-free agreement, implemented following President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to China in April, has yielded significant results.

"In particular, from January to October, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Azerbaijan increased by nearly 50% compared to 2024. There has also been a noticeable rise in interest among Azerbaijani youth in studying the Chinese language," Lu Mei noted.

Lu Mei also recalled Chinese President Xi Jinping’s praise for Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as a longtime friend of the Chinese people.

The ambassador also told journalists that cooperation at the level of heads of state has given a major boost to bilateral relations.

"In 2026, our relations have broad prospects for expanding cooperation in a wide range of areas," the ambassador stressed.

By Timur Rzayev / Khagan Isayev