On September 15, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Xi Jinping, the President of the People's Republic of China, in Samarkand, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani President reported.

During the meeting, President Xi Jinping conveyed his congratulations to President Ilham Aliyev on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and China, as well as the creation of the New Azerbaijan Party. The head of the Chinese state said that the relations between Azerbaijan and China were of the nature of a strategic partnership and were developing at a high level. "We highly appreciate the importance you are attaching to developing relations between Azerbaijan and China. We support the comprehensive development of our relations at the strategic level," Xi Jinping said.

President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that he was delighted to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping, noting that he remembered their previous meetings, especially his visit to the People's Republic of China to attend the "One Belt, One Road" Forum in 2019. President Ilham Aliyev also pointed out that the relations between Azerbaijan and China were of a strategic partnership nature, adding that the two countries cooperated successfully in several areas.

President Ilham Aliyev also expressed his gratitude to President Xi Jinping for his congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the New Azerbaijan Party, noting that there were very good relations between the two countries' ruling parties. Indicating that the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan-China diplomatic relations was celebrated with successful results, the head of state said that very beneficial and fruitful cooperation had been established between the two countries in all fields.

President Ilham Aliyev said he appreciated China's support for Azerbaijan in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to start the vaccination process thanks to vaccines purchased from China as a demonstration of solidarity.

The President of Azerbaijan said there were excellent prospects for cooperation and partnership within the Middle Corridor and One Belt, One Road projects. The head of state said Azerbaijan played an essential part in the transport processes between China and Europe, adding that the country’s transport and logistical capabilities were of great importance in international cargo transportation. Azerbaijan fully supports the increase of train and other cargo transportation from China to Europe and vice versa.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan was carrying out large-scale reconstruction work in the territories liberated from occupation. Many Chinese companies have also applied for participation in these operations. Azerbaijan supports the active involvement of Chinese companies in these projects.

President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping stated that his country supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and noted that China appreciated the support Azerbaijan had shown for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of China. Chairman Xi Jinping stated that non-interference in the affairs of states was an important principle.

President Ilham Aliyev mentioned that Azerbaijan always supported China's territorial integrity and sovereignty, that China's unequivocal support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was always highly appreciated, and expressed his gratitude to President Xi Jinping for that. The President of Azerbaijan specifically noted that the non-interference in the internal affairs of states was one of the priority principles for Azerbaijan. The head of state pointed out that Azerbaijan always supported the supremacy of norms and principles of international law and emphasized that Azerbaijan had been working in this direction as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement since 2019. President Ilham Aliyev stated that territorial integrity was a fundamental principle of international law and must be respected by all.

The head of state noted the importance of increasing inter-city relations, student exchange, and cooperation in tourism as a component of cooperation in the humanitarian field. The President of Azerbaijan said he was confident that after the pandemic was entirely over, the tourist exchange between the two countries would be restored to the level before COVID-19. The head of state reiterated that China was a friend and strategic partner for Azerbaijan.

During the conversation, the sides also pointed out excellent prospects for the development of Azerbaijan-China economic and trade relations, increasing trade, promoting investment, and cooperation in energy, agriculture, transport, logistics, e-commerce, automobile transportation, and other fields, increasing student exchange, and stepping up direct relations between the cities of the two countries. The heads of state noted that the countries would continue making joint efforts to deepen and further develop bilateral relations.