Wang Yi: China to deepen cooperation with Azerbaijan under BRI

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China is willing to deepen cooperation with Azerbaijan in various fields during the process of jointly building the Belt and Road, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Baku, Azerbaijan on Thursday.

Under the strategic leadership of the heads of state of both countries, China-Azerbaijan relations have experienced healthy and stable development and yielded fruitful results, Wang said during his meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

Wang said China wants to discuss the establishment of a cooperative partnership with Azerbaijan in the fields of energy exploration, self-development and digital economy, and continue their cooperation in cracking down on the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan is willing to implement the consensuses reached by the two heads of state, promote the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and strengthen parliamentary and sub-national exchanges between the two countries.

Azerbaijan hopes that more Chinese companies will enter its market and wants to join hands with China to battle the "three forces" and defend multilateralism, Mammadyarov said.

Also on Thursday, Wang met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the presidential residence.

Wang Yi meets with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the presidential residence in Baku, Azerbaijan, May 23, 2019. /Photo via Chinese Foreign Ministry

The Azerbaijani president emphasized his country's willingness to support and join in the building of the Belt and Road, and further cooperate with China in fields of energy, transportation, trade and tourism.

Azerbaijan sees China as a reliable friend and partner and always prioritizes the relationship with China in its diplomacy, Aliyev said.

He also expressed Azerbaijan's welcome of expanded investment from competent Chinese enterprises like Huawei, which he said would help with Azerbaijan's national development.

Wang echoed Aliyev by stressing China's expectation to work with Azerbaijan on the Belt and Road, energy cooperation, digital economy as well as to encourage Chinese enterprises to make contributions to Azerbaijan's development.

The Chinese state councilor also thanked Azerbaijan for standing with China on issues regarding the latter's core interests and major concerns.

(Cover image: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) holds talks with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku, Azerbaijan, May 23, 2019. /Xinhua Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency