Kobakhidze Hails Georgia-China Partnership After Upgrade in Bilateral Ties
By Messenger Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze praised relations with China on June 10, a day after Tbilisi and Beijing agreed to elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Speaking at a government briefing, Kobakhidze described the relationship as an "exemplary strategic partnership" that has produced tangible results since the two countries signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2023.
He pointed to growing trade, high-level visits, direct flights, the introduction of a visa-free regime, and expanding educational cooperation as signs of closer ties. According to Kobakhidze, Georgia and China have signed 13 agreements since 2023, while six more are nearing completion.
"This is not a strategic partnership that exists only on paper," Kobakhidze said. "It is reflected in concrete benefits for both countries. This is what an exemplary partnership should look like, one based on mutual respect, fairness, dignity, and shared interests."
He also praised China?s approach toward Georgia, saying Beijing treats the country as an equal partner.
"What is particularly noteworthy is that the Chinese authorities treat our country as an equal, which is especially significant given the shortcomings that exist in global politics today," he said.
Kobakhidze said Georgia places special importance on strengthening cooperation with China and described it as the only superpower that has maintained a peaceful foreign policy over the past 50 years.
He also thanked Beijing for its continued support for Georgia?s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"The signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement will open a new stage in Georgia-China relations and bring significant political and economic benefits to our country," he said.
The deepening relationship with China comes as Georgia?s ties with its traditional Western partners remain strained.
The United States suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia in November 2024 under the administration of President Joe Biden. A month later, Washington imposed sanctions on Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. The administration of President Donald Trump has not reversed those measures, although Georgian officials have repeatedly stated that they want to rebuild relations with Washington "from a clean slate."
Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill on June 8 that would require an assessment of Russian and Chinese influence in Georgia and the development of a five-year strategy for U.S.-Georgia relations if the legislation becomes law.
Asked about the measure on June 9, Kobakhidze dismissed criticism from U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson, who sponsored the bill and has been one of Georgian Dream?s most vocal critics in Washington.
Calling Wilson "a completely unserious person," Kobakhidze argued that criticism of China?s role in the region contradicts President Trump?s efforts to improve relations with Beijing.
"He calls Xi Jinping a friend," Kobakhidze said of Trump. "Against this background, when someone like Joe Wilson talks about China?s negative influence in the South Caucasus, it is completely unserious and does not deserve any special comment."
