Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

A conference on the economic development of Azerbaijan and China in the context of human rights was held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku on July 1.

The international conference, "The phenomenon of economic development of Azerbaijan and China in the context of development of socio-economic rights of citizens", was organized by the Human Rights Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador Hong Jiuyin said that Azerbaijan and China have always been important links of the Silk Road as well as international trade.

He also cited enormous potential for the development of bilateral relations.

According to Jiuyin, China's government pays much attention to developing its relations with the South Caucasus republic in various fields.

"Our countries' positions in the world are the same or substantially similar, particularly on such issues as sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries," Jiuyin said.

Regarding economic cooperation, Jiuyin said that whereas the trade turnover between the two countries was only $1.5 million 21 years ago, the figure is projected to rise to $1.2 billion by 2013. "That is, since Azerbaijan gained independence, the volume of trade with China has increased more than 700 times," he said.

The conference was joined by Feng Yujun, Director of the Russian Institute of the Chinese Academy of Contemporary International Relations, as well as a number of Chinese scientists.

Azerbaijan was represented by members of parliament, including Professor Ziyad Samadzade, ANAS Vice President Isa Habibbeyli, as well as other representatives of the scientific community.

Reports on themes including the strategic transformation of the Chinese economy, China-Azerbaijan economic relations and prospects for bilateral economic cooperation, as well as challenges pertaining to the process of modernization in China and Azerbaijan were heard during the conference.