China supports Azerbaijan in joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and is ready to work closely with Azerbaijan to safeguard the interests of the Global South, said Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

The Chinese president met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin on Sunday. Aliyev is in China to attend the SCO Summit and events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Xi said China and Azerbaijan are good friends and partners, adding that over the past 33 years since diplomatic ties were established, traditional friendship between the two countries has deepened, political mutual trust has grown stronger, and mutually beneficial cooperation has yielded fruitful results.

Noting that the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership in April, Xi said that decision opened a new chapter of all-round cooperation between the two.

China and Azerbaijan are on the path of development and revitalization, Xi said, adding that China is ready to work with Azerbaijan to maintain the strong momentum of bilateral cooperation and create a new future of win-win development.

Xi emphasized the need for the two sides to strengthen development strategy alignment and pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. He also emphasized accelerating trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and enhancing the efficiency of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

The Chinese president also called for expanding cooperation in traditional areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and energy, while fostering new growth drivers in emerging areas including the digital economy, green development and artificial intelligence.

Both China and Azerbaijan should also step up exchanges in education, science and technology, culture, tourism, youth and local-level interactions to pool resources and cement public support for bilateral relations, Xi said. 

Echoing Xi, Aliyev said the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries reflects the high level of bilateral relations.

The two countries maintain close high-level exchanges, consistently support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, and actively advance cooperation in various fields, with trade growing rapidly, Aliyev said.

Azerbaijan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is ready to deepen cooperation with China in various fields, ranging from the economy to science and technology and tourism, to deliver more benefits to the two peoples, said the Azerbaijani president.

Azerbaijan is also ready to enhance cooperation with China within the SCO to jointly promote peace and development in the region and beyond, Aliyev said.

The two sides signed multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering areas including artificial intelligence, scientific and technological innovation, finance, and media.