Chinese Ambassador reiterates support for Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity

Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, on Wednesday reiterated the support of his Government for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Qian rejected criticism of the strategic partnership document, signed between the two countries in July, not involving mentions of the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia. 

I think this is a deliberately wrong approach to this document. We support the territorial integrity of Georgia and this has been reiterated in many documents [concluded] between the two Governments before. China supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. This is the most important principle in Chinese politics”, Qian said.

“That is why Georgia supports China's global security initiative. [Pointing to] [t]he fact that Abkhazia and South Ossetia [Tskhinvali region] are not mentioned in the document is a deliberate wrong approach to the document”, he continued.

The Chinese diplomat also stressed that “China and Georgia are both independent countries, and we have the right to choose who is our partner [or] strategic partner”, and further pointed out that his Government and the European Union also enjoyed a strategic partnership.