Tianjin: Ilham Aliyev and Xi Jinping met again on Sunday in Tianjin, ahead of the SCO summit, reinforcing the strategic and long-term nature of the relationship between Beijing and Baku. The meeting was held in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and friendship, with Xi Jinping greeting Ilham Aliyev as ‘my dear friend,’ underscoring the personal connection and significance of the Azerbaijani leader. This personal rapport is adding momentum to the political and economic partnership between the two nations.
According to Trend News Agency, Xi Jinping expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his participation in the ‘SCO Plus’ summit and the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan. These gestures by President Aliyev not only respected China’s historical legacy but also signaled Baku’s willingness to engage actively in China’s multilateral initiatives.
Economic cooperation was a major focus during the dialogue, with trade turnover between Azerbaijan and China reaching $2.5 billion between January and July this year, a 26.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Azerbaijani exports to China grew 4.5 times, reaching $53.3 million, while imports from China exceeded $2 billion, making China Azerbaijan’s largest supplier of goods. This growth highlights Azerbaijan’s pivotal role in the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, providing Beijing with direct access to European markets through crucial Middle Corridor routes.
The cooperation extends to energy, renewables, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence, with Chinese companies showing keen interest in Azerbaijan’s green energy projects, aligning perfectly with Baku’s development priorities.
Political support is another cornerstone of the partnership. Azerbaijan consistently backs China’s territorial integrity, expressing solidarity on issues concerning Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. In return, Beijing supports Azerbaijan’s growing role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where Azerbaijan is a dialogue partner and has applied for observer status. With China’s backing, Azerbaijan’s deeper involvement in the SCO is becoming increasingly realistic, enhancing its international profile from a regional player to a participant in major Eurasian processes.
In essence, a durable axis of trust and mutual benefit is forming between Baku and Beijing. The personal rapport between President Ilham Aliyev and President Xi Jinping is strengthening this axis, turning bilateral relations into a driver of broader cooperation. Amid global turbulence, partnerships based on mutual respect, strategic vision, and personal diplomacy are becoming vital foundations for long-term stability and development across Eurasia.