Li Qiang: China ready to further align development strategies with Georgia

China stands ready to further align its development strategies with Georgia and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Tuesday during his meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Shanghai.

Kobakhidze is in China to attend the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Li noted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 33 years ago, China and Georgia have always maintained mutual respect and understanding, firmly supporting each other's core interests and major concerns.

Since the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2023, bilateral cooperation has accelerated across various sectors, delivering tangible benefits to both peoples, the Chinese premier pointed out.

China, is ready to remain a genuine friend and good partner of Georgia, carry forward the fine tradition of mutual support, strengthen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation and jointly advance modernization so as to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples, he noted.

Highlighting the strong economic complementarity between the two countries, Li called for making full use of the intergovernmental committee on economic and trade cooperation, explore new areas of shared interest and improve the quality and efficiency of bilateral collaboration.

He urged both sides to take the substantive conclusion of the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) upgrade negotiations as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and emerging industries such as the digital economy, new energy and artificial intelligence.

Li also expressed hope that Georgia would continue to provide a favorable business environment for Chinese enterprises.

The Chinese premier also encouraged stronger people-to-people exchanges in tourism, education, science and technology, culture, and youth programs, as well as the establishment of more sister-city partnerships to promote deeper mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

As members of the Global South, Li said, China and Georgia should strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral affairs, jointly implement the four major global initiatives put forth by China. He called for concerted efforts to uphold multilateralism and free trade, safeguard the global economic order, and promote international fairness and justice.

Kobakhidze reaffirmed that China is Georgia's strategic partner, noting that bilateral relations have continued to deepen on the basis of mutual respect and trust, with growing friendship between the two peoples.

He reiterated Georgia's firm adherence to the one-China principle and expressed readiness to enhance high-level exchanges with China, make good use of the FTA under the Belt and Road framework, and further expand cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, education, and tourism.

Kobakhidze commended China's role as a responsible major country in safeguarding world peace and upholding fairness and justice amid global uncertainty, saying China has brought valuable stability to the world.

He voiced Georgia's support for the four global initiatives and expressed willingness to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China to jointly promote global peace, stability and development.

After their meeting, Li and Kobakhidze witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering trade, artificial intelligence, agriculture, environmental protection, inspection and quarantine, culture, and aviation.