Kobakhidze Meets Han Zheng: China Becomes Georgia's Largest Investor

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Han Zheng, Vice President of the People's Republic of China, who is in Georgia on an official visit with a delegation. Kobakhidze stressed the particular importance of the visit of a high-ranking delegation from China and thanked the vice president.

According to Kobakhidze, diplomatic relations between the two countries span 34 years, and a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement was signed on the 34th anniversary. He said this agreement has concrete, tangible results. The prime minister thanked China for supporting Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and reaffirmed support for the one-China principle.

On economic cooperation, the prime minister said trade and economic partnership is growing year by year. "We are pleased that, according to this year's data, China has become Georgia's largest investor, which confirms the firm trust of Chinese business and the Chinese side in the economic environment of Georgia," Kobakhidze said. He said Georgia is interested in deepening the partnership, including within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Kobakhidze also spoke about Georgia's strategic location: "We naturally connect Europe and Asia, the West and the East." He said Georgia would also like to deepen cooperation in other areas: culture, education, science, sports, healthcare, agriculture and environmental protection.

The prime minister said: "In the modern world, China is the only peaceful superpower that is oriented from start to finish toward progress, modernization, advancement and development." He said that is why Georgia sees its ties with China as having special value. Kobakhidze is confident that the visit will give new impetus to bilateral relations.

Han Zheng thanked the Georgian government for its hospitality and expressed hope that the visit would further contribute to developing relations. He recalled that Xi Jinping and President Kavelashvili met in June and a statement on the comprehensive strategic partnership was made. Next year will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

According to the Chinese vice president, Georgia has long supported the one-China principle, while China supports Georgia's sovereignty, security and the interests of its country's development. He added that China has an economic development plan that will create new opportunities.

An expanded-format meeting took place at the Administration of the Government of Georgia, with members of both countries' governments participating.