Kobakhidze, Han Zheng Meet Georgian and Chinese Business Communities
By Messenger Staff
Monday, November 9, 2026
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met Georgian and Chinese business representatives at an official reception. The Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized the event, according to the PM's press service.
The talks centered on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and on trade and economic ties.
"We attach the utmost importance to developing relations between Georgia and China," Kobakhidze said. He noted that economic cooperation had grown significantly in recent years. "Trade is expanding rapidly and Chinese investment in Georgia continues to increase," he said. The government would create every possible condition for Chinese businesses, he added.
He also pointed to the political side of the partnership. Tbilisi and Beijing signed a strategic partnership agreement several years ago. A comprehensive one followed more recently. Kobakhidze called current achievements "tangible results" of that cooperation. "We do not intend to rest on what has been achieved so far," he said. He expressed confidence that the Vice President's visit would contribute significantly to bilateral relations.
Han Zheng said both countries were "countries with ancient histories and civilizations." Ties had developed dynamically since diplomatic relations were established, he said.
He recalled that Xi Jinping and President Mikheil Kavelashvili announced the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June. He described his meetings with Kavelashvili and Kobakhidze as "exceptionally sincere, friendly and productive."
Han Zheng said the global political and economic order was undergoing profound changes. "Strengthening cooperation becomes even more important," he said, adding that it required foresight and long-term vision.
He said Georgian agricultural products were gaining ground in China. Chinese goods, especially new energy vehicles, were popular in Georgia. In April, the two countries signed a protocol upgrading their Free Trade Agreement. Han Zheng called it "a qualitative new stage" in trade and economic cooperation.
"We are ready to import even more high-quality Georgian products," he said. Beijing would also support Chinese companies investing in Georgia. He hoped business communities would "serve as a bridge" between the two countries.
Georgian Dream Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili also spoke at the event. She called the Middle Corridor "a key area of cooperation" and a reliable transit route between China and Europe.
She said the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port had particular significance as a "gateway to the Middle Corridor on the Black Sea," connecting trade between China, Central Asia, and Europe.
Kvrivishvili reported progress on air links. A direct Shanghai-Tbilisi flight launched in July, alongside the existing Urumqi route. "Following an agreement reached with China Eastern Airlines," she said, weekly flights will rise from three to five in 2027. She said this would support tourism, business and people-to-people ties. Both sides were also exploring direct flights from Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
Trade turnover with China reached 2.3 billion US dollars from January to September 2026, she said. That was a 41% increase, placing China second among Georgia's trading partners. Chinese investment in Georgia had topped one billion US dollars since 2002. In the first half of 2026, China became Georgia's largest investor, with 236 million US dollars.
"There is significant potential to further deepen trade and economic cooperation," Kvrivishvili said. She added that both sides were actively working to realize it.
Chamber President Giorgi Pertaia opened the event. Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, also spoke.
