China interested in transport, logistics capabilities of Azerbaijan

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

A  delegation headed by Azerbaijan Railways chairman Javid Gurbanov, who was in Beijing to participate in the international forum within the framework of the “One belt - one way” strategy, met with Deputy Head of the Commercial department of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Kun Guohua, and Deputy Head of the state the border crossing point of this region Joo Dong.

During the meeting the sides expressed satisfaction with the successful development of relations between Azerbaijan and China in all spheres. They noted that the agreements reached during the state visit of President Ilham Aliyev to China in 2015 contributed to deepening cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

Then, a MoU on the joint promotion of the Economic belt of the Silk Road was signed, which further strengthened the relations between the two countries.

One of the main directions of cooperation, which are of great interest to both parties, is the transport sphere, including railway transport and freight traffic.

Officials of the Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region, which is of great importance in China's cargo transportation, expressed a desire to take advantage of the transport and logistics capabilities of Azerbaijan, which enjoy an advantageous geographical location. They noted that they can use the transport corridors that pass through Azerbaijan to transport goods produced in the northern part of China, to Eastern Europe, to the Middle East, including Turkey and Georgia.

Javid Grubanov informed in detail the officials of the Chinese Autonomous Region about the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the transport and logistics capabilities of Azerbaijan, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which will provide the shortest railway connection between Europe and Asia, the North-South transport corridor.

He noted that Azerbaijan can make a great contribution to the implementation of the China Economic Silk Road Initiative, which provides for deepening economic relations between the countries located on the historical Silk Road.

Gurbanov also noted that Azerbaijan is ready to render any assistance to the Chinese side to transport cargo through Azerbaijan and invited the delegation of Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region to pay a visit to Azerbaijan to discuss the related issues.

Economic ties between Azerbaijan and China play a large role in the bilateral political relationships. The two share a common interest in boosting the collaboration and partnership, as the rapid rise of China and Azerbaijan, and the growing integration between them, has a clear boost for regional projects.

The Great Silk Road is a general name of a caravan road, which has been the main two-way trading bridge of East and West since III century BC up to now. The Great Silk Road starts in Japan and China stretches up to Europe cutting through India, Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, Caucasus, Asia Minor, Northern Africa including/connecting Indian Ocean, Chinese sea, Japanese sea, Red sea, Caspian sea, Black sea, Azov Sea and Mediterranean sea.

Azerbaijan, a modern south Caucasus country on the Caspian Sea - rich in oil and natural resources - is a key link in the Silk Road Economic Belt, the Chinese vision for a route connecting Asia, Europe and the rest of the world.

Azerbaijan actively participates in the restoration of the Great Silk Road having in view its geographical and strategic position and economic demand. The Great Silk Road was not only a means of trade between the East and the West, but an important means for the exchange of cultural values. The active cooperation between China and Azerbaijan strongly contributes to the realization of the Great Silk road program.