China, Azerbaijan vow stronger partnership

China and Azerbaijan should take high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as a key driver to cultivate new areas of growth and support the modernization of both countries, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

Wang made the remarks during talks in Beijing with visiting Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

Noting that the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership last year, Wang said China stands ready to work with Azerbaijan to consolidate political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen international coordination, and continue to advance bilateral relations.

Wang said the world is entering a new period of turbulence and transformation, and stressed that both sides should practice genuine multilateralism and work together to promote a more just and equitable global governance system.

He also spoke highly of Azerbaijan's work since assuming the chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, and said China is willing to actively support Azerbaijan in hosting this year's CICA summit.

Bayramov said Azerbaijan firmly believes that China's development presents opportunities for the world, and expressed willingness to expand cooperation with China in such areas as trade and investment, connectivity, science and technology, education, and tourism.

He reaffirmed Azerbaijan's firm commitment to the one-China principle and voiced strong opposition to "Taiwan independence."

Bayramov also said Azerbaijan supports China's four major global initiatives and stands ready to join the Group of Friends of Global Governance, adding that Azerbaijan is willing to deepen coordination with China within multilateral frameworks.