Chinese FM Pays Historic Visit to Georgia, ready to Enhance Trade-Transport ties

First time in 23 years, Chinese Foreign Minister visited Georgia, which was assessed as a 'highly important and historic' event by top Georgian officials.

Wang Yi came to Georgia with a delegation late on May 23, met with Georgian Prime Minister, President, and Foreign Minister, saying that his country is particularly interested in enhancing trade, logistics and transport ties with Georgia.

Georgia's role in the historic Silk Road, connecting Europe with Asia, was in focus.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry reported that the Chinese government, which initiated the restoration of the Silk Road, acknowledges Georgia's 'significant role' in the global initiative.

"Yi said that he fully shares the aspiration of Georgia to become the transport-transit corridor between Europe and Asia," the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.

Yi spoke about China's international challenges, relations with the US and Russia during his meeting with President Salome Zurabishvili, the President's press office said.

"Georgia's geopolitical role was emphasized, and it was noted that China is a partner of Georgia and it praises the role of the country as the hub connecting Asia and Europe."

The office added that infrastructure projects and investment environment of Georgia were also discussed.

"They [Zurabishvili and Yi] talked about Georgia's occupied territories and Russia's aggressive policy, and as the President of Georgia stated it, Georgian partners should use both bilateral and multilateral formats to urge Russia fulfill its obligations towards Georgia [and withdraw its troops]. They should also use all the meetings to discuss the issues of Georgian occupied territories [Abkhazia and Tskhinvali] during high-level meetings."

Yi said he hopes the new era in the Georgian -Chinese relations will start after his visit.

"China is implementing foreign policy, which is based on the principles of peaceful coexistence. We are ready to develop friendly relations between our countries further. We have a firm position that all countries are equal, regardless of their size. We respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and other countries," he said.

Georgian PM Mamuka Bakhtadze and Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani also spoke about the occupation.

The Chinese delegation left Georgia on Saturday.