Ilham Aliyev and Xi Jinping. Trust-based diplomacy shaping Eurasian stability

[ad_1] In recent times, relations between Azerbaijan and China have reached a brand new qualitative stage, largely because of the particular dynamic between President Ilham Aliyev and Chinese language President Xi Jinping. Their shut dialogue and private partnership haven't solely laid the muse for stronger bilateral ties between Baku and Beijing, however have additionally develop into an vital issue shaping worldwide processes throughout Eurasia.

On Sunday, the 2 leaders met once more in Tianjin, forward of the SCO summit. The talks had been held in an environment of mutual understanding and friendship, as soon as extra underscoring that Beijing and Baku see their relationship as each strategic and long-term. It is telling that Xi Jinping historically greets Ilham Aliyev with the phrases “my expensive buddy”, emphasizing the private connection and the importance of the Azerbaijani chief - a component that undoubtedly provides new momentum to the political and financial partnership of the 2 international locations.

Xi Jinping thanked President Ilham Aliyev for collaborating in the “SCO Plus” summit and within the navy parade marking the eightieth anniversary of China’s victory over Japan. These gestures by President Ilham Aliyev weren't solely a mark of respect for China’s historic legacy, but additionally a sign of Baku’s willingness to actively interact in China’s multilateral initiatives.

A significant focus of the dialogue was financial cooperation. Between January and July of this 12 months, commerce turnover between Azerbaijan and China reached $2.5 billion - 26.7% greater than in the identical interval of 2024. Azerbaijani exports to China grew 4.5 instances, reaching $53.3 million, whereas imports from China exceeded $2 billion, making China Azerbaijan’s largest provider of products. This progress displays not solely the strengthening of bilateral relations but additionally Azerbaijan’s function as a key hyperlink within the “One Belt, One Highway” initiative. The nation lies alongside essential Center Hall routes, giving Beijing direct entry to European markets.

Vitality, renewables, digital applied sciences, and synthetic intelligence are additionally turning into vital areas of cooperation. Chinese language firms are displaying robust curiosity in Azerbaijan’s inexperienced vitality tasks, which totally align with Baku’s growth priorities.

Political assist stays one other cornerstone of the partnership. Azerbaijan persistently backs China’s territorial integrity and expresses solidarity on points associated to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. Beijing, in flip, helps Azerbaijan’s rising function within the Shanghai Cooperation Group, the place the nation is a dialogue companion and has utilized for observer standing. With China’s assist, Azerbaijan’s deeper involvement within the SCO seems more and more real looking, providing the nation a stronger worldwide profile - from a regional participant to a participant in main Eurasian processes.

In essence, what's taking form is a sturdy axis of belief and mutual profit between Baku and Beijing. The non-public rapport between President Ilham Aliyev and President Xi Jinping gives the energy behind this axis, turning bilateral relations right into a driver of broader cooperation. At a time of rising international turbulence, such partnerships - based mostly on mutual respect, strategic imaginative and prescient, and private diplomacy - have gotten an important basis for long-term stability and growth throughout Eurasia.