Han Zheng Visits Georgia

CCTV.com report (Xinwen Lianbo): From November 6 to 8, local time, at the invitation of the Georgian government, Vice President Han Zheng visited Georgia and met separately in Tbilisi with Georgian President Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Kobakhidze.

During his meeting with Kavelashvili, Han Zheng conveyed President Xi Jinping's warm greetings and best wishes. Han Zheng said that over the 34 years since China and Georgia established diplomatic relations, they had consistently upheld the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutually beneficial cooperation, promoting the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations. In June this year, President Xi Jinping and the Georgian president jointly announced the elevation of China-Georgia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening a new stage in the development of relations between the two countries and injecting fresh impetus into cooperation across various fields. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Georgia, jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, and advance China-Georgia relations.

Kavelashvili asked Han Zheng to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to President Xi Jinping, saying that Georgia and China respect and trust each other, their bonds of cooperation are growing stronger, and exchanges between their peoples are becoming increasingly frequent. Georgia is willing to continually strengthen cooperation with China across various fields to bring greater benefits to both countries and greater well-being to their peoples.

During his meeting with Kobakhidze, Han Zheng said that China attaches great importance to developing China-Georgia relations and is willing to be Georgia's friend and partner on the basis of mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutually beneficial cooperation. The two sides should carry forward their fine tradition of mutual support. China appreciates Georgia's firm support for the one-China principle and its longstanding support for China's positions on issues concerning Taiwan and Xinjiang, and will, as always, support Georgia in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and development interests. The two sides should jointly implement the protocol upgrading their free trade agreement, deepen cooperation in connectivity, education, science and technology, culture, and other fields, and open up new scope for mutually beneficial cooperation. They should closely coordinate and cooperate in multilateral affairs, safeguard the shared interests of both countries and countries of the Global South, and uphold international fairness and justice.

Kobakhidze said that Georgia would always abide by the one-China principle and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Georgia is willing to further deepen political mutual trust with China, enhance their trade partnership, strengthen practical cooperation, and advance joint efforts to build the Belt and Road. Chinese companies are welcome to invest and do business in Georgia, and Georgia is willing to provide a favorable business environment. China is committed to promoting peace and development and plays an important role on the international stage. Georgia is willing to follow China's example, focus on development and progress, and work together to contribute to world peace and prosperity.

During his visit to Georgia, Han Zheng also attended and addressed a welcome dinner hosted by the Chinese and Georgian business communities together with Kobakhidze. Han Zheng said that China adheres to its basic state policy of opening up and remains unwavering in advancing high-quality development, providing broad market opportunities for companies from countries including Georgia. He expressed the hope that the two countries' business communities would continue to serve effectively as a bridge and bond, contributing to the development of the China-Georgia comprehensive strategic partnership.