China and Azerbaijan Expand Political Ties and Record Trade

China and Azerbaijan are deepening strategic ties across political, economic, and transport sectors. During a briefing in Baku on November 6, Ambassador Lu Mei announced that trade turnover between the two nations reached a record $3.46 billion from January to September 2026. China remains the largest source of imports for Azerbaijan, with both nations expanding infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative, including the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant and the South Caucasus' largest wind power plant.

Political cooperation is expanding through new institutional ties between the Communist Party of China and the New Azerbaijan Party. This partnership focuses on sharing experiences in party building and state governance. Diplomatic relations have been further bolstered by a mutual visa-free regime and high-level meetings between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and President Ilham Aliyev.

Strategically, Beijing reaffirmed its support for Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is prioritizing the Middle Corridor to secure access to European markets via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, with container train traffic expected to hit a record in 2026. Additionally, China expressed support for Azerbaijan's 2026–2028 chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia and its goal to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.