In the shifting geopolitical landscape of Eurasia, Azerbaijan has positioned itself as a reliable and indispensable bridge connecting East and West. Strategically located at the crossroads of major transit routes, Azerbaijan is navigating complex international dynamics with a balanced foreign policy that fosters strong ties with both China and Western powers. At the core of this strategy are energy cooperation, infrastructure integration, and geopolitical diversification.

The deepening of relations between Azerbaijan and China reached a new milestone in July 2024, when President Ilham Aliyev described the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership, signed during the 24th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, as a “historic event.” This agreement marked a clear transition from economic cooperation to a strategic partnership rooted in mutual respect, non-interference, and sovereign equality. It reflects not only a convergence of political will but also a growing alignment in geopolitical and economic interests.

Trade data confirms this trajectory: in 2024, the trade volume between Azerbaijan and China rose by 20.7%, reaching $3.74 billion, with China becoming Azerbaijan’s top source of imports. Much of this growth is attributed to Baku’s integration into the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). President Aliyev has emphasized the importance of key infrastructure projects, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), which connect China, Central Asia, the........

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