Chinese Ambassador highlights political trust underpinning China-Georgia relations

Chinese Ambassador Zhou Qian said on Saturday that the continued development of China-Georgia relations reflects a high level of political trust and carries significant historical importance, creating new opportunities for cooperation across various sectors while contributing to the modernisation and prosperity of both countries.

In an interview with Imedi TV, Zhou discussed China-Georgia relations, focusing on the comprehensive strategic partnership and the practical substance it should acquire over the next three to five years to translate the relationship into tangible economic and social benefits.

“First, the two countries will strengthen high-level visits, political exchanges, and experience sharing in governance, and further promote the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Middle Corridor concept. Georgia is an important hub connecting Eurasia, while China is a global leader in infrastructure construction such as highways, railways, ports, and airports. Strengthening cooperation in these areas will undoubtedly help Georgia upgrade its infrastructure and improve connectivity”, he said.

The Ambassador noted that trade ties were expected to deepen further following recent upgrades to the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement.

“Second, China-Georgia economic and trade cooperation will further expand. The China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement has recently been upgraded, and the two sides have reached many new consensuses in areas such as agricultural and food imports, inspection, and quarantine. In the future, more high-quality Georgian products such as wine, spices, nuts, and mineral water are expected to enter the Chinese market, while China-made new energy vehicles and smart home appliances will offer Georgian consumers new options to improve their lives. In addition, prospects for cooperation in new areas such as finance and the digital economy are also very broad. BasisBank, controlled by Chinese capital, has recently acquired Liberty Bank, becoming the third-largest commercial bank in Georgia. Chinese e-commerce platforms are also gradually establishing their presence in Georgia. We expect and believe that such cooperation will continue to bring new results”, Zhou noted.

He further highlighted people-to-people exchanges as a key pillar of future relations.

“Third, people-to-people exchanges between China and Georgia will further strengthen. Currently, there is a visa-free agreement and direct flights between China and Georgia. With the improvement of bilateral relations, exchanges between the peoples of the two countries will become even more frequent. We are ready to cooperate with Georgia to open more direct flight routes and encourage people from both countries to travel, study, and conduct business in each other’s country”, he stressed.

Zhou added that China was ready to support Chinese language education in Georgia and increase opportunities for Georgian students to study in China, aiming to deepen mutual understanding between the two societies.

“China has become the world’s third-largest destination for international students. Last year, China and Georgia signed an agreement on mutual recognition of higher education degrees, and there is huge potential for cooperation in education. We are ready to help continuously improve the level of Chinese language education in Georgia, support more Georgian students in studying in China, and promote deeper mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries”, Zhou said.

He concluded by reiterating President Xi Jinping’s view that China-Georgia relations have consistently developed on the basis of mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutually beneficial cooperation, and expressed confidence that the partnership would continue to expand and deliver tangible benefits in the years ahead.

“In his congratulatory letter, President Xi Jinping noted that over the past 34 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Georgia have always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutually beneficial cooperation, promoting the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations and achieving fruitful results in cooperation across various fields. He expressed confidence that China-Georgia relations, which are at a new starting point, will definitely achieve further development, make a greater contribution to the two countries’ joint progress toward modernisation, and further improve the quality of life of the people of both countries”, he concluded.