Published on: 2026-06-20
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
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Baku, June 20 /Xin Hua/ — Today, the relations between Azerbaijan and China can be characterized as an example of mutually beneficial cooperation, based on mutual respect, trust, and pragmatism. This was recently stated in an exclusive interview to the Xin Hua agency by Akbar Aliyev, head of the import and export control department of the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency.
According to him, for Azerbaijan, China is one of the most important economic partners in Asia, and for China, Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in the South Caucasus and a key link in transport routes between the East and the West.
“The participation in the “Belt and Road” initiative has special significance for Azerbaijan. Thanks to its geographical location, Azerbaijan acts as an important transport and logistics hub on the Middle Corridor, connecting China with Europe through the Caspian region,” said A. Aliyev.
He believes that Azerbaijani-Chinese relations and cooperation in the field of food security have in recent years elevated bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level. If earlier cooperation was mainly limited to the trade and economic sphere, today it has acquired a strategic character and extends to transport, investments, energy, the digital economy, agriculture, and food security.
A. Aliyev noted that the development of transport infrastructure, the simplification of customs procedures, and the increase in cargo flows contribute to the growth of mutual trade and the further strengthening of economic ties between the two countries.
“It is worth separately noting the activation of cooperation between Azerbaijan and China in the field of food security and agricultural trade. In June 2026, a delegation from the Azerbaijan Food Security Agency held negotiations with the General Customs Administration of China, resulting in the signing of important protocols regulating the export of Azerbaijani products to the Chinese market. This concerns the export of poultry meat, aquaculture products, and other aquatic biological resources.”These documents define veterinary, sanitary, quarantine, and food requirements, creating a unique legal basis for the export of Azerbaijani producers to one of the largest global markets,” said A. Aliyev.
He noted that an important aspect of the agreements reached is not only the expansion of export opportunities but also the deepening of cooperation in the field of digitalization of control, mutual recognition of certification systems, improvement of inspection mechanisms and exchange of experience in the sphere of state supervision over the safety of food products. This contributes to increasing the competitiveness of Azerbaijani products and their compliance with international requirements, added the Azerbaijani official.
According to him, Azerbaijan and China have previously reached agreements on the export to China of Azerbaijani hazelnuts and almonds, as well as on the establishment of mechanisms for cooperation in the field of food safety and phytosanitary control. This indicates a consistent expansion of access for Azerbaijani agricultural products to the Chinese market, noted A. Aliyev.
At the end, he expressed confidence that cooperation between the two countries will continue to expand, including in promising areas such as food security, agriculture, green energy, digital economy, and logistics.
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