Azerbaijan, China Discuss Strengthening Strategic Partnership and Legal Cooperation

Baku, The Gulf Observer: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Ying Yong, Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the People’s Republic of China, in Baku on September 2, with discussions focusing on the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in the legal and judicial fields.

Welcoming the Chinese delegation, President Aliyev described the visit as highly significant within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China. He expressed confidence that the delegation’s visit would contribute to further expanding cooperation between the two countries across various areas.

President Aliyev recalled his state visit to China last year and his meetings with President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese officials, saying the discussions had demonstrated the close friendship between Azerbaijan and China.

The Azerbaijani President noted the growing interest of Chinese companies in Azerbaijan, highlighting their participation in major projects both as investors and contractors. He said that mutual travel between the two countries had increased significantly since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership, while a number of important projects had already been completed and others were underway.

Aliyev also emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan and China’s mutual support for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, describing this as a reflection of their commitment to international law.

Referring to the recent high-level SCO Plus meeting in Bishkek, the Azerbaijani President said Azerbaijan fully supports principles including respect for international legal norms, equality among states, non-interference in internal affairs, equal representation and cooperation instead of confrontation.

Connectivity was highlighted as another important area of bilateral cooperation. Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative and stressed the strategic importance of developing transport links connecting China, Central Asia and Azerbaijan.

He said Azerbaijan viewed connectivity as an important factor contributing to global cooperation and security, noting that China remains a major player in terms of cargo volumes transported along these routes.

President Aliyev also expressed confidence in expanding cooperation in the legal and judicial sphere, welcoming the Chinese delegation’s meetings with Azerbaijani counterparts during its visit.

He further described the elimination of visa requirements between Azerbaijan and China as an important symbol of friendship and mutual trust, saying the measure would facilitate travel and people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

For his part, Ying Yong expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for receiving the delegation and conveyed the greetings and best wishes of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Ying Yong said his visit, conducted at the invitation of Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev, represented a practical step toward implementing agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding cooperation between their prosecutorial and judicial institutions.

The Chinese Prosecutor General said his meetings with Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Inam Karimov had been productive.

He emphasized that China and Azerbaijan are sincere friends and equal partners committed to mutually beneficial cooperation. He also highlighted the contribution of Azerbaijan’s National Leader Heydar Aliyev to laying the foundations for friendly relations between the two countries.

According to Ying Yong, China and Azerbaijan have maintained relations based on mutual respect, justice, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties, contributing to deepening friendship and mutual trust.

President Aliyev expressed gratitude for President Xi Jinping’s greetings and asked Ying Yong to convey his best wishes to the Chinese leader.