New Dynamic in Armenia-China Relations
Since the launch of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, Armenia-China trade turnover has nearly tripled. In 2024 alone, the volume of bilateral trade exceeded $2.8 billion.
This was stated by Jin Zheng, Deputy Director of the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, during the international conference “Contexts and Prospects for the Development of Armenia-China Strategic Partnership” held at Yerevan State University.
Zheng recalled that Armenia was one of the first countries to join the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. He also highlighted Armenia’s foreign policy, one of the key manifestations of which is the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, aimed at forming new regional routes.
According to the Chinese expert’s assessment, Armenia has all the prerequisites to become a connecting hub between the Black Sea and the Persian Gulf.
Referring to the topic of economic cooperation, Jin Zheng noted that Armenian cognac and wine are in high demand in China, while the use of Chinese-made buses and electric vehicles has noticeably increased in Yerevan in recent years.
Jin Zheng assessed that the South Caucasus is currently in a phase of real opportunities for peaceful development. “If all parties operate in an environment of mutual trust and mutual respect, the region can become a key transport corridor connecting the Eurasian continent,” he stated.