China, Armenia establish strategic partnership as President Xi meets Armenian PM

China and Armenia announced the establishment of a strategic partnership as Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the port city of Tianjin on Sunday.

Pashinyan is in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, as well as commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 33 years ago, China and Armenia have upheld mutual respect and trust, sought mutual benefit and mutual learning, with bilateral relations continuing to develop healthily and steadily, Xi said.

Stressing that the establishment of a strategic partnership is an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations, Xi called on both sides to continue their traditional friendship, uphold mutual support, deepen cooperation in various fields, and push new results in bilateral ties from a new starting point.

He noted that China and Armenia should promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, enhance connectivity, and boost exchanges in areas such as education, technology, culture, and tourism to bring more benefits to both peoples.

China supports Armenia in joining the SCO, and is willing to work with Armenia to practice true multilateralism to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, the Chinese president added.

Pashinyan hailed China's development achievements, saying the establishment of a strategic partnership will elevate Armenia-China relations to a new level and create fresh opportunities for bilateral cooperation. 

He reaffirmed Armenia's firm commitment to the one-China principle and expressed readiness to expand economic and trade cooperation with China, while calling for maintaining close collaboration in international and regional affairs.

The two sides also issued a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership and signed multiple cooperation documents in areas such as market regulation and media.