The cooperation between Georgia and China has been continuously deepened since the two countries decided to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership in 2023, ushering in a new era for economic and trade cooperation between the two sides, Georgian Ambassador to China Paata Kalandadze said.
In a recent television interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), Kalandadze talked about the achievements resulted from the mutual beneficially cooperation between the two countries.
The China International Import Expo (CIIE) has served as a vital platform for exhibitors from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to explore new development opportunities and enhance their market presence in China. As one of the first nations to actively participate in the China-proposed BRI, Georgia has seen a record-breaking over 45 exhibitors attending the ongoing 7th CIIE.
"Georgia always traditionally used to be [a] very active participant. An exception is not this year as well, because I think this year we are presenting the record-breaking amount of Georgian companies, which is over 45 [that] will be placed in three different locations of the space," said he.
"Bilateral cooperation between Georgia and China actually got a quite substantial impetus since last year after the leaders of both countries made a joint statement about the elevation of the relationship between Georgia and China to the strategic partnership. And I'm very pleased to say that the result of this declaration is new statues of bilateral relations. They were translated immediately into the concrete steps," he said.
One of the milestones in the development of bilateral ties between China and Georgia is the mutual visa exemption agreement signed in Georgia's capital Tbilisi in April this year. The agreement allows holders of ordinary passports from both countries to visit for up to 30 days per trip, with a maximum cumulative stay of 90 days within a 180-day period.
Moreover, China and Georgia have also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on developing transport corridors for the China-Europe Railway Express and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor.
"In other words, we are in a very intensive dynamic state of relations with China. Because we totally share the philosophy of 'One Belt, One Road,' which I have to admit we were amongst the first eastern European countries who joined this philosophy and this project in 2014. And we are becoming fully pledged to this project," said Kalandadze.
The bilateral trade turnover between China and Georgia amounted to 2 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, up 48 percent year on year, while the total number of investments from China to Georgia exceeded 800 million U.S. dollars.
"And this is not the limit, this is just the beginning of the new era, let's say. So between the two sides, especially on the track of economical cooperation, definitely, we're going to have a better result in the forthcoming year," the ambassador said.
Georgia, China to continue deepening economic cooperation in new era: ambassador
Chinese envoy on Wednesday expressed support for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) to continue fulfilling its mandate, advancing the Colombian-led and Colombian-owned peace process, and providing vital assistance to Colombia in achieving peace and development.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the statement when speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the Colombian situation at the UN headquarter.
UN secretary-general's special representative for Colombia and head of the UNVMC Carlos Ruiz Massieu said that Colombia had achieved some milestones as it celebrated the eighth anniversary of a landmark peace deal. However, violent incidents earlier this year resulted in dozens of deaths. He emphasized the need for Colombia to strengthen the government's presence in remote areas, as the peace agreement remains central to achieving lasting peace in the country. He called on the international community to continue its unwavering support for this process.
Geng expressed hope that in the new year, all parties in Colombia will remain steadfast, united, and committed to writing new chapters of peace, reconciliation, and progress. Geng put forward three key expectations: achieving new progress in improving the security situation, advancing dialogue and reconciliation, and making new achievements in implementing the peace agreement.
"We support the Colombian government's efforts to increase security deployment to effectively deter violent activities, stabilize the situation as quickly as possible, ensure the safety of people's lives, alleviate the local humanitarian crisis, and strengthen protection for former armed personnel, ethnic groups and vulnerable groups such as women and children," said Geng.
Geng noted that the current peace talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) have encountered setbacks. China hopes that both sides will resolve their differences through dialogue and resume negotiations at an early date, and expects that the Colombian government's peace talks with other armed groups will remain unaffected, he said.
China commends the Colombian government, under the leadership of President Gustavo Petro, for prioritizing the implementation of the peace agreement in its governance agenda and for its efforts in areas such as rural reform and the reintegration of former armed personnel into society, Geng said.
China also calls on UN agencies, as well as international and regional partners, to continue supporting Colombia in consolidating the achievements of the peace process, he said.
Recently, armed clashes have continued between Colombia's main anti-government armed group, the ELN, and former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the Catatumbo region, northern Colombia.
According to data from the Colombian Ombudsman's Office, the conflict has displaced 36,000 people. Petro on Monday declared a state of internal commotion.
FARC, once Colombia's largest anti-government armed group, signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016, disarmed the following year, and transitioned into a political party.
However, some FARC members refused to disarm and formed splinter groups. The ELN primarily engages in drug trafficking and other criminal activities along Colombia's Pacific coast and border regions. On Friday, the Colombian government announced the suspension of peace talks with the ELN once again.
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
