nd Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova met with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Cao Lijie, the press and public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis told APA.
W Welcoming the Speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament warmly, Cao Lijie thanked Sahiba Gafarova for her visit and participation in the Boao Forum for Asia. He said that the visit of the Speaker of the Milli Majlis to China in order to participate in the Forum is a testament to the importance Azerbaijan attaches to bilateral relations as well as to the Azerbaijani side's support for the Forum.
Whilst expressing satisfaction with the development of friendly relations between our countries, which are rooted in deep historical foundations and built on a solid base, and serve the fundamental interests of our peoples, Chairman of the Standing Committee Cao Lijie remarked that our relations have invariably been distinguished by mutual respect and support throughout the 34 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and China.
As Cao Lijie then said, the relations between the two countries have risen to the level of strategic partnership in recent years under the wise leadership of the two Presidents. Mention was made of the two meetings of the Leaders of Azerbaijan and China that had taken place last year as well as of the intention of the National People's Congress to work jointly with the parliament of Azerbaijan towards supporting this activity of the Heads of State and adding new aspects to our countries’ relations.
Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova voiced appreciation of the generous hospitality and warm words said about Azerbaijan, recalling fondly her previous meetings with Cao Lijie on the sidelines of the international events held in various countries. Saying that this visit is her first to China in her capacity of Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova expressed confidence that the visit will contribute to the further expansion of relations between our parliaments and to an increase in the number of reciprocal visits.
The Speaker of the Milli Majlis mentioned that the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries was due next year, stressing then that the relations between our countries have always been built on the basis of friendship, mutual respect and mutual support, and that Azerbaijani-Chinese co-operation continues to expand across many areas today.
Speaker Sahiba Gafarova stressed that the relations between the two countries have entered a new phase in recent times and that President Ilham Aliyev attaches great importance to the strengthening of the co-operation between our countries. Attention was drawn to the important role of the sincere relations, mutual respect and trust between the Leaders of our countries in the advancement of the partnership. She referred to President Ilham Aliyev's visits to China in 2025 and to the signing of the Joint Statement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the state visit in April of last year.
Mutual support was also expressed in the course of the conversation in matters of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova reiterated Azerbaijan’s consistent and firm supports the One China policy, whilst China, for its part, has had unwavering support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Cao Lijie noted that he greatly values Azerbaijan's support for the One China policy, China's stance on Taiwan and on the autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Xinjiang-Uyghur as well as the statements made in this direction. He also expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for her assistance in the evacuation of Chinese citizens from Iran.
It was emphasised at the meeting that Azerbaijan was among the first countries to support the One Belt. One Road Initiative and that the Chinese side greatly appreciates that. As Sahiba Gafarova observed, Azerbaijan constitutes an important transport hub in Eurasia today. The Middle Corridor has become a reliable, safe and efficient route connecting China with Europe via the Caspian Sea.
Contentment was also witnessed with the joint work of our countries in the areas of trade, transport and communications, and with the growth also of freight traffic along the Trans-Caspian corridor. Cao Lijie let it be known that China is interested in developing relations in such areas as digital development, artificial intelligence and green energy. The mutual abolition of visas and the opportunities created by direct air services between our countries will contribute to the further development of relations.
As was mentioned during the meeting, Azerbaijan and China are both members of the Global South. According to Cao Lijie, Azerbaijan’s international role is mounting in weight continually; he stated China’s intention to broaden the support for Azerbaijan and co-ordination with her internationally further. China’s secondment of Azerbaij
an’s membership in the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation and our country’s chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia was stated as well.
Then, the meeting focused on the issues of humanitarian and cultural co-operation; it was remarked that the ties in this field brought our nations closer together. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis referred to the cultural projects that are being implemented between our countries successfully and praised especially the collaboration between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
The conversation addressed also the inter-parliamentary co-operation, with it being said that the ties in this area occupy an important place in the deepening of our countries’ relations. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova referred to the meetings of President Ilham Aliyev with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress during the state visit to China as a testament to the importance attached to these ties.
The active and fruitful co-operation afoot between our Parliaments was underlined, too. Reciprocal visits at the level of speakers and parliamentary delegations are paid on a regular basis, whilst MPs participate in international events organised by our Parliaments. Members of Parliament, besides, maintain regular contacts within the framework of inter-parliamentary organisations, extend mutual support to one another and exchange views. Views shared by both sides were expressed as to the importance of expanding these ties further and intensifying the contacts in the future; the possibilities of developing institutional ties between the committees of the legislative bodies and of broadening co-operation across various areas were reviewed as well.
Cao Lijie told about the outcomes of the 14th Session of the National People's Congress and the decisions adopted thereat as well as on the socio-economic achievements attained by China. He added that China is prepared to share these achievements with friendly countries, including Azerbaijan.
