Georgian, Chinese PMs review strategic partnership, trade, economic ties

Strategic partnership and cooperation in trade and economic relations were discussed on Monday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang.

In his remarks, Garibashvili, who is on an official visit to China, noted the country was a “reliable” partner for Georgia and ranked third among its largest trade partners, the Government Administration said. 

The officials reviewed results achieved since the implementation of the free trade agreement between the two countries, which reached $2 billion in 2022.

The visiting official stressed his Government attached a “great importance” to further strengthening investment cooperation with China.

Garibashvili informed his Chinese counterpart about the country’s potential transport, logistics, energy and renewable energy sources and large infrastructure projects his Government was “actively” working on.

The meeting also focused on Georgia’s transit potential and the importance of the development of the Middle Corridor - a logistics route linking Europe and Asia via the South Caucasus - that they said had gained even more weight in the light of the "current challenges in the world".

The officials also discussed regional initiatives in energy and infrastructure that would increase the possibility of the South Caucasus region to become a link between East and West.

We are very honoured by the decision that elevates our relationship to the level of a strategic partnership. I believe that this will bring specific results to Georgia and China. [...] Georgia strongly supports the principle of One China. Here I would like to express my gratitude for supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia”, Garibashvili said.

In his turn, Li noted China was “ready” to take relations and cooperation with Georgia to a “new dimension”.

The officials signed a bilateral cooperation plan between the Governments of the two countries within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as a memorandum of understanding on investment cooperation in the digital economy between the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China.

Garibashvili extended his gratitude to his Chinese counterpart for “warm” hospitality and invited him to Georgia.