On July 5, the first Chinese trucks sent through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) were delivered to Azerbaijan by a ship of "Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Shipping" CJSC (ASCO). 

According to ASCO, the initial convoy of 26 trucks was loaded onto the ship ferry "Mercury-1" from ASCO's Maritime Transport Fleet at the Kurik port in Kazakhstan on July 3.

The trucks arriving in Azerbaijan will be transported via Georgia and Turkey to European countries. Earlier, in May, China sent three trucks weighing 80 tons to Europe from Kurik through the Middle Corridor in a test run.

ASCO's transport fleet comprises 52 ships, including 21 tankers, 13 ferries, 14 universal dry cargo ships, 2 Ro-Ro ships, and 2 Ro-Pax ships.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Applauds New Strategic Partnership with Azerbaijan

During a traditional press conference on July 5, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning responded to a question from the official state publication China Daily, emphasizing the importance of the two heads of state's recent statement regarding establishing China-Azerbaijan strategic partnership relations. Mao Ning described this development as a significant milestone in the history of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Mao Ning stated, "Both sides will further strengthen the strategic partnership relations through mutual political support, deepen comprehensive cooperation, including the quality construction of 'One Belt, One Road' as the main line, and implement effective coordination in international issues. The China-Azerbaijan strategic partnership will benefit both peoples and serve as a foundation for the healthy and stable development of its partnership."

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that diplomatic relations between China and Azerbaijan were established on April 2, 1992. The official noted that President Xi Jinping had remarked on the sound and steady development of bilateral relations over the past 30 years, characterized by effective cooperation and increasing strategic importance. 

The official further stated, "Especially in recent years, President Xi Jinping and President Ilham Aliyev have often met, exchanged views, and provided strategic directions for bilateral relations. The two countries firmly support each other in matters related to each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and other interests. They have close relations and cooperation within the framework of the UN, the Cooperation Organization, and the Council on Mutual Action and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CCM). Against this background, the qualitative improvement of China-Azerbaijan relations is natural."