Chinese Foreign Minister to Attend CICA Summit in Baku and Advance High-Level China-Azerbaijan Diplomatic Engagement

The Foreign Ministry of China has officially announced that Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, will go to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, as the Special Representative of President Xi Jinping to attend the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia to be held on October 15. He will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan from October 14 to 20. This marks Wang Yi’s second visit to Azerbaijan after a seven-year interval. This high-level diplomatic exchange will inject new impetus into the China-Azerbaijan comprehensive strategic partnership and facilitate connectivity and multilateral security dialogue in the South Caucasus region.

The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia is an important multilateral platform for security and cooperation in Asia. Chaired by Azerbaijan as the rotating presidency, this CICA Summit focuses on Asian connectivity, digital transformation and sustainable growth. Heads of state, heads of government and foreign ministers from many Asian countries will gather in Baku to exchange views on regional security risks, cross-border transport corridors, energy cooperation, trade and investment. On the sidelines of the summit, China will uphold multilateralism, advance the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, jointly improve regional governance in Asia and contribute to building an Asian community with a shared future.

China and Azerbaijan are comprehensive strategic partners. Guided by the strategic leadership of the two heads of state, political mutual trust between China and Azerbaijan remains solid. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation is moving forward steadily, yielding fruitful practical outcomes in energy, cross-border infrastructure and the green economy. Located in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan serves as a key hub connecting Europe and Asia. Its national strategy of Revival of the Silk Road is closely aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and the Middle Corridor stand as priority areas of bilateral cooperation.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold bilateral talks with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Bayramov to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. The two sides will have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral cooperation, the situation in the South Caucasus, regional connectivity and multilateral international affairs. On the bilateral front, the two countries will explore new cooperation opportunities in energy trade, cross-border logistics, digital economy and green low-carbon projects. On regional issues, they will communicate on the peace process in the South Caucasus, regional stability and the opening of cross-border transport corridors. As the rotating chair of CICA, Azerbaijan will receive continued support from China in fulfilling its presidency duties and promoting the development of the CICA mechanism.

Analysts note that this trip to Baku carries dual strategic value. On one hand, the high-level bilateral meeting consolidates the China-Azerbaijan comprehensive strategic partnership and taps the economic, trade and infrastructure potential of the Eurasian Middle Corridor. On the other hand, through the multilateral platform of the CICA Summit, China will conduct extensive diplomatic contacts with countries in the region, encouraging Asian countries to uphold the common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept and resolve differences through dialogue and consultation.

As the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus continues to evolve, Azerbaijan is further consolidating its position as a Eurasian hub by hosting the CICA Summit. This high-level China-Azerbaijan diplomatic engagement benefits the development of both countries and offers constructive momentum for de-escalation and regional economic integration across the South Caucasus.

After concluding his visit to Azerbaijan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel on to Croatia, Montenegro and Bulgaria to promote bilateral exchanges and regional cooperation between China and countries in Southeast Europe.