“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and China under the strategic leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and President Xi Jinping, bilateral relations, which have been dynamically developing across the political, economic and humanitarian spheres, have risen to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” said Rafig Abbasov, Director of the Confucius Institute of the Azerbaijan University of Languages, during his interview with China’s Xinhua News Agency.
Noting that the development of economic and trade relations between the two countries demonstrated positive momentum, Abbasov emphasized that the trade turnover between China and Azerbaijan amounted to 4.87 billion US dollars last year, while reaching 420 million US dollars in January 2026. “China now ranks third among Azerbaijan’s top trading partners,” he further mentioned.
According to the Director of the Confucius Institute, China and Azerbaijan are also actively enhancing their cooperation through the Belt and Road initiative.
Touching upon the development of Azerbaijani-Chinese humanitarian relations, Abbasov underlined that interest in the Chinese language is growing year by year in Azerbaijan, alongside an expanding appreciation for China’s culture, history, and modern life.
“The Confucius Institute at the Azerbaijan University of Languages has been operating in Baku for a decade. The Institute has already provided Chinese language education to more than 4,000 students at its 13 branches, scientific organizations, and various universities and schools,” he underscored.
“The organization of student exchanges, cultural and educational summer camps for youth, and events on Chinese folk music and dance, traditional medicine, calligraphy and painting, martial arts, culinary and tea ceremonies have turned the Confucius Institute into a platform for cultural exchange between China and Azerbaijan, people-to-people diplomacy, and strengthening friendly ties between the two peoples,” Abbasov added.
