Azerbaijan-China friendship strengthened over time

Editor's note: Chinese President Xi Jinping once remarked, "Without full confidence in our culture, without a rich and prosperous culture, the Chinese nation will not be able to rejuvenate itself." As China forges a new path of modernization, its ancient heritage is being revitalized in the new era. Recognizing the importance of cultural exchange, CGTN's Decision Makers column introduces the series "Bridging the world, boosting cultures," inviting ambassadors to share their insights on China, its civilization, and cultural communication. Bunyad Huseynov is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the People's Republic of China. This is the first article in the series. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

This year is remarkable, since this is the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is gratifying that under the wise leadership of President Xi Jinping, China celebrated this remarkable day by achieving all the goals set, with great success in the development of the statehood and significant improvement in the well-being of its citizens, also taking a leading position in the international system.

On the other hand, we are celebrating a new milestone in our bilateral relationship. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping adopted the "Joint Declaration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China on the establishment of a strategic partnership." Thanks to the mutual efforts of our heads of state, the development of our comprehensive relationship has entered a new strategic partnership level.

As Azerbaijani ambassador to China, I will spare no effort to contribute to our relationship on political, economic and other directions, as well as cultural relations and exchanges between our two peoples, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Already a year has passed from my appointment as the ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the People's Republic of China. When I first received the news of my appointment, I experienced a range of emotions: pride, responsibility and of course, joy of coming back to the country where I served as a young enthusiastic diplomat for three years, between 2006 and 2009.

It brought back fond memories of the exciting days during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. I was closely involved in organizing the visit of a delegation from Azerbaijan. I proudly remember how successfully our athletes performed. They demonstrated good results and secured medals during the Olympic Games. President Ilham Aliyev and his family members stayed in hospitable China for longer than planned.

I have indelible memories from those days and my then-China assignment in general. My children's childhood memories are also connected to China. I returned with a solemn mission, while they came back with the promising plans related to education, gaining new experience and competences.

I have also been immensely impressed by the rich culture and ancient history of China, the philosophical traditions of great Chinese civilization, as well as exquisite and delicate Chinese artistic heritage. Among other things, I would like to mention the richness and magnificence of Chinese cuisine. Every single province, each region has its own unique flavors influenced by local ingredients, cooking techniques and cultural preferences. Every time when you taste something new, you experience the boundless creativity of Chinese gastronomy. Yet, "gong bao ji ding" and "baozi" still remain my all-time favorites. I cannot explain how pleasant it is coming back to this country, sharing delicately cooked Chinese meals, sitting around a table together with old and new friends.

I realized that, despite the distance of thousands of kilometers, we also share similar cultural and other spiritual values in Azerbaijan. Both Azerbaijan and China own ancient civilizations with rich history and cultural traditions. Our nations praise their historical roots and preserve fundamental traditions in modern times.

Family is central to our communities, with a strong emphasis on filial piety and respect for elders. Family gatherings, traditional festivals, and collective ceremonies are of essential importance in social life. Undoubtedly, these similarities, and common interests have laid a solid ground for mutual sympathy and friendship between our nations. They play an important role in the foundation of our modern relationship as well.

The history of cultural communication between our peoples goes back to the ancient Silk Road. Azerbaijan's favorable intersection position, located between Asia and Europe, has turned it into a bridge among the nations and countries along the Silk Road. It is no coincidence that the 12th century prominent Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi, described the friendship between Azerbaijan and China in his "Seven Beauties" poem through the character of "Chinese beauty" showing deep respect for the Chinese people and their culture. In his works, the poet characterized China as a country of high cultural achievements and the Chinese lady as a unique embodiment of human beauty. It should be noted that a monument has been erected in memory of the great poet in Beijing's Chaoyang Park by Chinese artist Yuan Xikun.

I would gladly emphasize that thanks to our common values, our peoples can feel each other through culture and art. Chinese people have demonstrated their empathy for Azerbaijani art back in the middle of the last century with the "Arshin Mal Alan” (The Cloth Peddler) operetta. This Azerbaijani masterpiece was staged first in Wuhan in 1957 and then in Beijing in 1959. It was the first foreign musical comedy to be performed in Beijing. After the performance, the operetta became so popular in China that it was later staged all across the country on more than 300 occasions. Later "Arshin Mal Alan" was entirely staged in Chinese at the Beijing Tianqiao Theater in 2010, and in 2021 in Langfang.

Nowadays, people-to-people exchange between Azerbaijan and China covers almost all aspects of modern social life. Many factors, including visa-free policy for Chinese tourists, student exchanges, language learning and institutional partnerships in various fields, contribute to further deepening cross-cultural dialogue and create favorable conditions for communication between our peoples.

Friendly relationships are developing between the regions and cities of our countries. A number of memorandums of understanding have already been signed, and concrete steps are being taken for their implementation.

Azerbaijan and China collaborate on educational programs, including scholarships and student exchanges. Under the Azerbaijan-China scholarship program, hundreds of Azerbaijani students study in China, and Chinese students study at Azerbaijani universities on government grants.

Close collaboration has been established between the leading higher education institutions of our countries, scientific exchange has been established, and a number of projects are being implemented. There has been growing interest in learning each other's languages in both countries. Chinese students study the Azerbaijani language at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Confucius Institutes successfully continue their work on Azerbaijani campuses.

I am thrilled to announce that, by the adoption of the "Joint Declaration between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China on the establishment of strategic partnership," Chinese citizens do not need a visa to travel to Azerbaijan for up to a year. Direct flights are operating from Beijing and Urumqi to the beautiful and charming Baku.

Taking this opportunity, I sincerely invite our Chinese friends to plan a visa-free travel to the Land of Fire. I am sure that getting acquainted with the country’s natural environment, cultural heritage, traditions, as well as with the lifestyle and hospitality of our people will better promote mutual understanding between friendly nations.

I would like to highlight the activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation aimed at expanding our cultural cooperation and people-to people exchanges. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation, together with its Chinese partners and especially the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, successfully implements various projects. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation created a pavilion, "Window to Azerbaijani Culture," in the Ancient Residence Expo Park in Bengbu, Anhui Province of China.

I have no doubt you have heard about the famous ballet "A Thousand and One Nights" by Azerbaijani composer Fikrat Amirov. The ballet was staged at the Beijing Performing Arts Center on August 23-25, 2024 and was warmly welcomed by the Chinese audience. Thus, the ballet troupe of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theater made a spectacular show. The artistic director of the troupe was eminent Azerbaijani choreographer Eldar Aliyev. The Symphony Orchestra of the Chinese National Ballet of China played the music. The conductor of the orchestra was Honored Artist of Azerbaijan, Ayyub Guliyev. Ramiz Azimov was invited to play Azerbaijan’s national music instrument – the tar, which added tinges of oriental nuances to the ballet.

Our countries are reliable partners for each other in all spheres of cooperation, and support each other in key issues related to the national interests of our states. But the most important thing is that all these activities are aimed at sparking an interest among two friendly peoples, worthy of prosperity and limitless opportunities.

In conclusion, I sincerely congratulate the Chinese government and people on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

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