Envoy: Azerbaijani president to visit China for SCO summit

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will visit China from August 30 to September 3 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

During his visit, President Aliyev will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin and attend the anniversary ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Chinese people’s victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, according to a statement by Lu Mei, China’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

The SCO Summit, scheduled for August 31 to September 1, will be the largest since the organisation’s establishment. It will bring together leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organisations. The SCO serves as a key platform for enhancing security, stability, and joint development among the region’s countries.

Amid unprecedented global changes over the past century, the ambassador emphasised the need for the SCO to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, accelerate reforms, and align with global trends such as peace, development, and multilateralism.

Summit participants are expected to discuss promoting the “Shanghai Spirit,” implementing multilateralism, supporting sustainable development, addressing important international and regional issues, and jointly preparing a new development plan for the organisation.

Azerbaijan, which became a dialogue partner of the SCO in 2016, is considered a significant member of the SCO family. China and Azerbaijan maintain close cooperation within the framework of the SCO, with Azerbaijan supporting China’s leadership and actively participating in various forums and councils organised by China, including the Political Parties Forum, Energy Ministers’ Council, People’s Diplomacy and Sister Cities Forum, and the forum on green development, the ambassador said.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the Chinese people’s victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the global fight against fascism.

On September 3, China will hold a commemorative ceremony in Beijing themed "Remembering History, Honoring Heroes, Protecting Peace, and Opening the Future." The ambassador highlighted the historic significance of the 14-year struggle that led to the victory over invaders and contributed significantly to the overall Allied victory in World War II.

She noted that the lessons from World War II led to the creation of an international order centered on the United Nations and its Charter, which have played a crucial role in maintaining global peace and stability.

The ambassador stressed the importance of remembering history, preserving the outcomes of the war, and firmly defending peace. She underscored the need to uphold the United Nations’ founding principles, maintain the international system based on international law, strengthen global solidarity, and build a community with a shared future for humanity to advance peace and development.

Both China and Azerbaijan have made significant historical contributions to the victory over fascism and remain key advocates for multilateralism, international equality, and justice.

The ambassador pointed out that as global tensions rise, the two countries should enhance solidarity and cooperation, foster a model of international relations based on equality and mutual benefit, and contribute positively to global stability.

President Aliyev’s participation in the SCO Summit and the commemorative events will mark his second visit to China this year, expected to provide strong momentum to both bilateral and multilateral cooperation and further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

The ambassador concluded by affirming China’s readiness to work with Azerbaijan to implement the important agreements reached between their heads of state, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and contribute significantly to upholding international equality, justice, and the promotion of peace and development worldwide.

By Sabina Mammadli