YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. The development of relations with China is among the priorities of the Armenian foreign policy. In this respect the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the People's Republic of China Armen Sargsyan highlighted that it’s not a coincidence that Armenia established its first embassy in the Asian region in Beijing. Ambassador Armen Sargsyan gave an interview to “Armenpress” News Agency regarding the Armenian-Chinese relations, economic and educational cooperation, and many other issues as well.

- How would You characterize the current level of the Armenian-Chinese political relations?

- I should say that a huge work has been carried out in the direction of comprehensive expansion of our ties in the political, economic, scientific, and cultural spheres on the basis of the friendship of our countries and mutual trust. It’s of a certain importance that China always had a balanced standpoint regarding the Nagorno Karabakh issue. The Government of China regularly states that they support solely peaceful regulation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In turn, Armenia also recognizes the "One China" political principle and supports its internal and external political course and the Chinese Government admits this with satisfaction and gratitude.

- What high-ranking Armenian officials have visited China during the last five years and what Chinese delegations have been hosted by the official Yerevan?

- During the last five years many official and working visits have been paid between the two countries. Particularly, the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan visited China twice, the President of the National Assembly of Armenia and the Prime Minister and many other officials. It is worth mentioning that in November 2013 the Catholicos of All Armenians paid a patriarchal visit to the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong and Guangzhou to meet the representatives of the Armenian community. The Chinese side also has paid quite many visits to Armenia. Close ties have been established between the China's Communist Party and different Armenian political parties.

- Mr. Ambassador, what can you say about the economic cooperation between the two countries?

- Trade and economic relations between our countries are developing dynamically. China is one of the most important commercial partners of Armenia. An intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation functions at present and sessions of the commission are held in Beijing and Yerevan. Today it can be stated that the volumes of the trade turnover between Armenia and China are growing. Thus, if in 2008 the export from Armenia made only $1,8 million and the import - $169,4 million, in 2013 according to the data provided by Armenia’s National Statistical Service, the export made $68,8 million and the import - $187,3 million.

I consider the Armenian-Chinese business forum in 2011 in Yerevan to be quite an important event in fostering of the bilateral economic cooperation and trade, during which the number of the participants and the level of the forum were the most representative in this sector.

- Mr. Sargsyan, could You please touch upon the educational and cultural cooperation as well?

- The educational and cultural spheres cannot stay aside from the development of the relations. It is noteworthy that in the framework of the intergovernmental agreement our young people are getting education in the leading institutes of higher education of the People’s Republic of China. Students from China study in Armenia as well. In Yerevan the Confucius Institute successfully functions. In the nearest future we will have another connecting link. With the assistance of the Chinese government an advanced secondary school of Chinese Language will be established in Yerevan.

Every year, in Armenia and China, cultural days of our countries are held. Performances of various creative ensembles and art samples exhibitions are held. For example, during the next month China’s ensemble of disabled will perform in Yerevan, which is unique in its kind.

- What would You say about the assistance provided by the Chinese government to Armenia?

- Every year the Chinese government allocates quite a large-scale financial assistance to Armenia. Due to that aid, the public buses and ambulance cars of Chinese production have appeared in Yerevan. In the end of the last year a modern mobile device browser for cargo inspection in the border checkpoints was brought to Armenia. By the way, the Armed Forces of Armenia also get some assistance from the China's Ministry of National Defense.

- Could You tell, please, how many Armenians are there in China and what they do?

- At present, about 500 Armenians from our country and also different countries of the world live or receive education in the major cities of China - Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong and Guangzhou. In 2013 the first Armenian center of the region was found in Hong Kong aiming at uniting the Armenians not only from China, but also from the other parts of the region. The Catholicos of All Armenians attended the opening ceremony of the center and gave his blessing. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)