Chinese Ambassador: China ready to deepen strategic communication with Georgia, expand practical cooperation

Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, on Saturday said that China was prepared to further strengthen strategic communication with Georgia and broaden practical cooperation across multiple sectors, expressing confidence that the China-Georgia strategic partnership would achieve significant and positive results in 2026.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Zhou underscored the rapid and fruitful development of relations between China and Georgia.

“I am pleased to give an interview to Imedi TV. The strategic partnership between China and Georgia is developing rapidly, and cooperation across various sectors is continuously deepening, producing fruitful results and bringing benefits to the peoples of both countries”, he said.

The Ambassador pointed to recent diplomatic engagements - including Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s participation in the China International Import Expo and Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili’s official visit - as evidence of strengthened political mutual trust.

“Last November, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze attended the 8th China International Import Expo, and Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili paid an official visit to China, which further strengthened political mutual trust between the two countries. In the presence of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Premier Li Qiang, the two sides signed several bilateral cooperation documents covering trade, artificial intelligence, agriculture, environmental protection, inspection and quarantine, culture, aviation, and other areas”, he noted.

He pointed out that the visa-free travel has contributed to a sharp increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Georgia, surpassing 120,000 for the first time last year.

“We are pleased that, thanks to the visa-free regime, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Georgia increased significantly last year and exceeded 120,000 for the first time. Exchanges of personnel have also intensified in education, science and technology, culture, and other fields”, he said.

The Ambassador further noted that China appreciated Georgia’s strategic vision and proactive approach in aligning the Middle Corridor with the Belt and Road Initiative.

“As one of the hubs of Eurasia, Georgia not only has an important geographical location, but also an open and inclusive approach, as well as a stable and transparent political environment. China has always regarded Georgia as a reliable partner”, he said.

Zhou praised Georgia’s proactive alignment of the Middle Corridor with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, citing completed 2025 infrastructure projects involving Chinese companies.

“In recent years, the two sides have deepened cooperation in multimodal connectivity, including road, railway, and aviation. In 2025, projects involving Chinese companies - such as the E60 and the North–South Corridor highway upgrades, as well as railway modernization - were successfully completed. A subsidiary of China Railway Group, China Railway Container Transport Company (CRCT), and the Middle Corridor Multimodal Transport Company (MCM) officially signed a cooperation agreement. According to the agreement, through an application to purchase shares, CRCT will join MCM as a new member and jointly participate in corporate governance and strategic decision-making, which will contribute to the construction and operation of the corridor. This cooperation clearly demonstrates the development potential of the Middle Corridor”, Zhou noted.

Zhou expressed confidence that Georgia’s ten-year national development plan would further elevate its role as a Eurasian connector.

“I believe that, alongside the implementation of Georgia’s ten-year national plan, Georgia’s strategic position as a Eurasian connector will become even more pronounced, and broader and more pragmatic cooperation between China and Georgia will begin”, the Ambassador concluded.