Armenia and China mutually endorse the Belt and Road, Crossroads of Peace initiatives - Ambassador Gevorgyan

Armenia and China mutually endorse their Crossroads of Peace and Belt and Road initiatives under their strategic partnership deal, the Armenian Ambassador to China Vahe Gevorgyan said.

“On August 31, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, and the parties announced elevating the Armenian-Chinese cooperation to strategic partnership,” he said via video call at the Strengthening China-Armenia Strategic Partnership: A Dialogue on Governance Experience Exchange international conference. “It should be noted that a strategic partnership is not merely a definition or label; it encompasses the consensus between the two countries on the principles, agenda, and vision of their cooperation, as reflected in the joint declaration on the establishment of the strategic partnership.”

According to the ambassador, the adoption of such a comprehensive document is unprecedented in Armenian-Chinese relations, because even a brief review of the text shows that the parties have successfully achieved a mutually beneficial outcome via thorough and substantive negotiations. The parties have unequivocally confirmed their support for each other on key issues concerning territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the inviolability of borders.

“Perhaps for the first time, a joint document has been adopted in which interstate relations are considered on three levels—bilateral, regional, and international cooperation—and for all three levels, the parties have agreed on all guiding principles for cooperation. The joint declaration also gives special attention to the development of cooperation within regional organizations, primarily within the framework of the SCO,” the ambassador said.

According to Gevorgyan, the past year was significant because of the participation of the Armenian Prime Minister in the extended session of the SCO Summit and Armenia’s submission of its application for membership in the SCO.

“During the SCO Summit, the President of China presented the Global Governance Initiative, and at the same summit, the Armenian Prime Minister welcomed the promotion of this initiative based on the UN Charter and its fundamental principles. The decision to give strategic depth and character to Armenian-Chinese cooperation is undoubtedly grounded in the achievements recorded since the establishment of diplomatic relations and the friendship between our two peoples. At the same time, it should be noted that two major factors have had a significant impact on the recent development of relations: the diversification of Armenia’s foreign policy and China’s growing role in international relations,” the Armenian ambassador said.

According to him, the current situation is favorable for the development of Armenian-Chinese bilateral cooperation across all sectors, including the development of infrastructure. Cooperation between the educational, academic, research, and think-tank communities of the two countries is crucial for identifying and implementing new opportunities for collaboration—a point also reflected in the joint declaration.