Chinese VP meets Georgian PM on bilateral ties

TBILISI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on bilateral relations on Friday.

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Georgia relations have achieved leapfrog development, Han said, adding that, in particular, in June this year, President Xi Jinping and President Mikheil Kavelashvili jointly announced the elevation of China-Georgia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Han said, voicing China's readiness to strengthen strategic communication with Georgia, deepen practical cooperation and continuously advance China-Georgia relations.

China attaches great importance to growing its relations with Georgia and is ready to be friends and partners with Georgia featuring mutual respect, mutual trust and win-win cooperation, he said, stressing the need to carry forward the fine tradition of mutual support.

China applauds Georgia's firm commitment to the one-China principle and its long-standing support for China's position on issues involving Taiwan, Xinjiang and other matters, Han said, adding that China will, as always, support Georgia in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and firmly oppose external forces interfering in Georgia's internal affairs under any pretext.

Noting that the two sides should explore new space for win-win cooperation, Han said this year marks the inaugural year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, and China continues to pursue high-quality development and expand high-standard opening-up, bringing new opportunities for China-Georgia cooperation.

China is ready to work with Georgia to deliver the protocol to upgrade the China-Georgia free trade agreement and raise the level of trade liberalization and facilitation, Han said, expressing hope that the two sides will deepen cooperation in connectivity, education, science and technology, culture, tourism, youth exchanges and local-level ties, keep unleashing the dividends of such policies as the mutual visa exemption and additional direct flights, and expand people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides should uphold international fairness and justice, Han said, pointing to China's willingness to maintain close coordination and cooperation with Georgia in multilateral arenas, jointly implement the four global initiatives, practice true multilateralism, uphold free trade, and safeguard the shared interests of the two countries and nations of the Global South.

Kobakhidze, for his part, said that Georgia highly values its partnership and friendship with China and will always abide by the one-China principle and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He thanked China for respecting Georgia's sovereignty and independence and for the valuable support it has extended to Georgia over the years.

The Georgian prime minister noted that Georgia-China relations have made substantial progress in recent years, yielding fruitful outcomes across all areas of cooperation. The elevation of Georgia-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership by the two presidents represents a breakthrough for bilateral ties.

Kobakhidze said that Georgia stands ready to work with China to deliver on the consensus reached by the leaders of the two sides, further deepen political mutual trust, upgrade their trade partnership, advance the Belt and Road Initiative, and strengthen cooperation in culture, education, science, sports, health, agriculture, environmental protection, tourism and other fields. Georgia welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there and will foster a sound business environment for them.

Amid the complex international landscape, China is committed to promoting peace and development and plays an important role on the global stage, Kobakhidze said, adding that Georgia hopes to learn from China, focus on development and progress, and work hand in hand to contribute to world peace and prosperity.