Baku, April 2nd—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), delivered a speech entitled "deepening China-Azerbaijan strategic partnership and promoting unity and cooperation in the Global South" here today to an audience representing various sectors of Azerbaijan. Nearly 200 representatives from political parties, think tanks and media in Azerbaijan, including Tahir Budagov, Deputy Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and Head of the Central Office, were present.  

Liu said, China and Azerbaijan are strategic partners who treat each other with sincerity and equality, and pursue mutual benefit. China-Azerbaijan friendship is rooted in a long-standing traditional friendship. More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Silk Road connected the two countries far apart. China-Azerbaijan friendship is characterized by a stronger contemporary connotation. In July last year, President Xi Jinping and President Ilham Aliyev jointly announced the upgrade of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, which is an important milestone in the development of China-Azerbaijan relations and a new starting point for China-Azerbaijan relations in history. 

With a high-level political mutual trust, we have firmly supported each other in pursuing the development path of our own choice, jointly opposed external interference and suppression, and advanced hand in hand in the pursuit of modernization. Our economic structures are complementary, and we have vigorously promoted the docking of development strategies and carried out a series of cooperation projects, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. We share cultural similarities. And the two peoples appreciate each other's civilizations while sharing a deep bond. All these have laid a solid public opinion foundation for bilateral friendly cooperation. 

Liu said that at present, the international situation is full of instability and uncertainty. The deepening of mutual trust and cooperation between China and Azerbaijan has brought certainty and positive energy to the Eurasian continent. Through the Belt and Road cooperation, we have made positive efforts to build an interconnected network across the entire Eurasian continent. Under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), we have upheld the Shanghai Spirit together, namely, mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, promoting peace and tranquility among the SCO family and helping the SCO family seek unity and development. Within the framework of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), we have worked together to pursue the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security in Asia and built a cornerstone for peace, stability, development and prosperity at the heart of the Eurasian continent. 

Liu said, China and Azerbaijan are sincere friends with strategic significance and important partners of the Eurasian continent. But more importantly, in the current turbulent international situation, as members and important representatives of the Global South, the two countries have assumed new responsibilities of the times and demonstrated huge space for cooperation. China-Azerbaijan cooperation is not only a vivid reflection of the joint efforts of the Global South countries in moving forward hand in hand, but also injects powerful force into the unity and cooperation among the Global South. In the face of unilateralism, protectionism, beggar-thy-neighbor approach, and even trade wars, sci-tech wars, and tariffs, China, Azerbaijan, and other Global South countries have adhered to the right path, strengthened cooperation, maintained leading development momentum among various economies, and become the ballast and stabilizer of the world economy. In the face of hegemony, bullying, division, confrontation and disputes, China, Azerbaijan and other Global South countries have sought strength through unity, helped each other, demonstrated the possibility of common development and progress, and sent out a loud voice advocating equality, fairness and justice. 

Liu said, a high-level China-Azerbaijan strategic partnership will not only benefit the two peoples, but also play a unique role in maintaining regional peace and development and promoting unity and cooperation among the Global South countries. China is willing to work hand in hand with Azerbaijan and forge ahead with courage to contribute greater strength to the development of both countries and to building a better world. 

The Azerbaijani side expressed that the Global South is a new center of power in today's world and occupies an important position in the global political and economic landscape. Efforts of the Global South countries in strengthening unity and cooperation are of great significance to promoting global economic development and building a more just and reasonable international order. Azerbaijan and China are both important members of the Global South. And the development of bilateral relations is conducive to cooperation among the Global South countries. Faced with the turbulent international situation, both Azerbaijan and China support a multi-polar world, stay committed to promoting economic globalization, and pursue independent foreign policies. Azerbaijan is willing to work with China and other Global South countries to jointly respond to global challenges and strive for a healthy and prosperous future for mankind by establishing a model of cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect and fairness. 

During the Q&A session, Liu responded to questions and shared his views on the development of China-Azerbaijan relations, inter-party exchanges, youth engagement, and cooperation in artificial intelligence.