(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 18. China wants to
foster close cooperation with Azerbaijan in green energy
development and energy storage in the future, Ambassador of the
People's Republic of China to Azerbaijan Guo Min said in an
exclusive interview with Trend .
"China takes notice of Azerbaijan's green reforms and commends
its commitment to ecologically sustainable development. China
stands as one of the pioneer nations actively participating in
renewable energy projects within Azerbaijan. Among the initial set
of large-scale initiatives in the realm of new energy undertaken by
Chinese firms, there is a 230 MW photovoltaic power plant and a 240
MW wind power facility. Remarkably, the photovoltaic plant's
construction has been going on for just six months, poised to
transform a 5.5 square kilometer area into an enduring source of
prosperity. In the immediate future, the integration of the
photovoltaic plant into the national power grid promises to
positively reshape Azerbaijan's energy landscape," she added.
Guo Min mentioned that concurrently, numerous Chinese companies
are actively advancing investment projects in the clean energy
sector. These initiatives are poised to deliver not only direct
investments and state-of-the-art technologies to Azerbaijan but
also bolster employment and expedite industrial growth, the envoy
added.
"Furthermore, we are delighted to witness an increasing presence
of Chinese vehicles, especially those utilizing alternative energy
sources, in the Azerbaijani market, warmly received by local
residents. China is committed to sustaining collaboration with
Azerbaijan and exploring opportunities for engagement in the realms
of green energy and electricity. Looking ahead, we aspire to forge
a close partnership in the advancement of green energy, energy
storage, peak load reduction, energy transmission and conversion,
energy efficiency, emission reduction, and the popularization of
alternative energy vehicles, alongside the development of
supporting infrastructure, among other areas. Our objective is to
catalyze the implementation of more projects and invigorate the
joint Chinese-Azerbaijani efforts in the green 'One Belt, One Road'
initiative," the ambassador added.
Chinese business in Karabakh
Guo Min noted that at present, several Chinese enterprises are
proactively championing investment and construction initiatives for
photovoltaic power plants to foster the growth of the local green
economy in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan.
She pointed out that Chinese enterprises are closely monitoring
the progress of the restoration efforts in the liberated
regions.
"Many companies have conducted research through on-site
inspections and have actively participated in various projects,
including initiatives like smart villages and the provision of
testing equipment for airports. Currently, certain enterprises are
actively advancing investment and construction projects focused on
photovoltaic power plants, aimed at contributing to the development
of the local green economy.
Chinese companies are well-informed about the investment
promotion measures undertaken by Azerbaijan to bolster
infrastructure development in the liberated areas and enhance the
overall investment and business environment. Chinese business
circles are fully prepared to engage in consultations with the
Azerbaijani side regarding specific projects spanning the domains
of renewable energy, infrastructure construction, production of
building materials, information and communication technologies, and
more," added the ambassador.
One Belt, One Road
The joint construction of One Belt, One Road strongly aligns
with the concept of the Middle Corridor, Guo Min said.
China is prepared to strengthen transportation cooperation with
Azerbaijan as part of joint construction of One Belt, One Road, the
envoy added.
She noted that China is eager to facilitate exchanges between
relevant departments and businesses of both countries,
investigating methods to enhance the efficiency of customs
clearance and goods transshipment, addressing various issues
related to streamlining and standardizing transit transportation
procedures, advancing the digitization of logistics and
transportation, reducing transport expenses, and enhancing the
operational reliability of China-Europe trains, among other
areas.
"China will also attract major enterprises from the country to
engage in investment, construction, and management of transport
infrastructure projects along the Belt and Road. We will share our
development expertise to leverage the complementary strengths of
all stakeholders and collectively foster sustainable growth in
regional transportation," she added.
The Ambassador underscored China's high regard for the strategic
geographical significance of the Middle Corridor, serving as a
vital link between Europe and Asia. China also commends its role in
enhancing regional connectivity, driving regional economic
advancement, and ensuring the stability of global industrial and
logistics networks.
"The joint construction of One Belt, One Road strongly aligns
with the concept of the Middle Corridor. In the realm of
transportation infrastructure, China shares common interests with
countries along the One Belt, One Road, including Azerbaijan,"
added Guo Min.
She pointed out that China is committed to accelerating
connectivity, modernizing infrastructure and services along the
Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor.
“This year we celebrate ten years of joint implementation of the
Belt and Road Initiative. Since its inception, this initiative has
garnered widespread international support, including from
Azerbaijan. Today, it has evolved into a global public good and a
pivotal platform for international cooperation in the pursuit of
sustainable global development.
As part of the joint implementation of the One Belt, One Road
Initiative, Azerbaijan and China respect each other, meet each
other halfway and achieve fruitful results in cooperation in
various fields. Especially in recent years, under the leadership of
the heads of the two states, the high-quality joint construction of
One Belt, One Road is deeply intertwined with the“Azerbaijan 2030:
National priorities for socio-economic development” strategy. This
collaboration has given rise to numerous cooperation priorities,
spanning fields such as logistics and transportation, sustainable
environmental practices, processing and manufacturing, and
digitalization. Overall, the degree of pragmatic bilateral
cooperation is on a continuous upward trajectory,” she said.
The Ambassador highlighted that the current state of relations
between the two countries marks the beginning of a new
developmental phase. She emphasized that China is fully prepared to
collaborate closely with Azerbaijan, aiming to strengthen strategic
mutual trust, enhance policy alignment, and make effective use of
cooperation mechanisms like the China-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental
Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation.
"China s is eager to promote trade and economic cooperation,
simplify trade procedures, foster trade liberalization, and
stimulate investment cooperation. We are committed to upholding the
principles of collaborative discussion, joint construction, and
resource sharing. Furthermore, we stand ready to support
enterprises from both nations in unlocking the full potential of
cooperation in various sectors, including renewable energy
production, energy storage, the digital economy, industrial
production, agriculture, and more.
In addition to these endeavors, China is dedicated to expediting
connectivity improvements, upgrading infrastructure and services
along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, enhancing
China-Europe rail freight volumes, and eliminating barriers within
regional and international supply chains.
Our commitment extends to strengthening cultural and
humanitarian ties, encouraging engagement between businesses,
academic institutions, and non-governmental sectors of both
countries, and diversifying the social foundations that underpin
deepening bilateral cooperation.
As we look toward the future, I have full confidence that both
sides will seize this historic opportunity to bolster unity and
cooperation, advancing China-Azerbaijan collaboration within the
framework of jointly building the Belt and Road. Together, we will
achieve tangible outcomes and make new contributions to the
prosperity, stability, peace, and well-being of our peoples,” added
Guo Min.
Trade facilitation
The envoy noted that China, in partnership with Azerbaijan, is
prepared to explore novel mechanisms and initiatives aimed at
broadening the scope of bilateral trade, streamlining trade
procedures, and promoting trade liberalization.
"Bilateral trade represents a pivotal aspect of practical
cooperation between China and Azerbaijan, demonstrating consistent
and positive growth in recent years. According to Azerbaijani
statistics, the period from January to July 2023 witnessed
bilateral trade with China reaching $1.62 billion, marking a
notable increase of 41.1 percent compared to the corresponding
period in the previous year.
China continues to hold its position as Azerbaijan's
fourth-largest trading partner and stands as the second-largest
source of imports. Presently, China primarily exports high-tech
products to Azerbaijan, including machinery, electronic equipment,
and automobiles, accounting for more than 50 percent of the total
exports. These exports have played a constructive role in advancing
Azerbaijan's economic and social development, ultimately enhancing
the living standards of its citizens.
Furthermore, China actively encourages Azerbaijan to leverage
platforms like the China International Import Expo and the China
Trade in Services Expo to showcase its high-quality and specialized
products. China also extends support to Azerbaijan in establishing
national pavilions in China for brand promotion and product sales.
Notably, Azerbaijani products such as wine, pomegranate juice, and
black tea have been gaining popularity in the Chinese market.
Both countries maintain close communication regarding the access
of other types of products to the Chinese market,” said the
ambassador.
Guo Min emphasized that China remains committed to offering
essential support in advancing the "Made in Azerbaijan" brand.
"In collaboration with our Azerbaijani counterparts, we are
prepared to explore innovative approaches and initiatives aimed at
expanding the scope of bilateral trade, facilitating trade
liberalization, and simplifying trade procedures. As the world's
largest consumer market, China extends invitations to Azerbaijani
companies to introduce an even wider range of Azerbaijani products
to Chinese consumers through avenues such as exhibitions and
cross-border e-commerce, among others,” she added.
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