On the afternoon of April 23, 2025, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Li Qiang said that China and Azerbaijan are good friends with sincerity and mutual trust and good partners with equality and mutual benefit. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 33 years ago, China and Azerbaijan have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, fostering deep friendship and trust. Bilateral pragmatic cooperation has continuously deepened, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. This morning, President Xi Jinping held talks with Mr. President Ilham Aliyev and announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, opening a new chapter in the development of China-Azerbaijan relations. China is ready to work with Azerbaijan to further promote traditional friendship, enhance strategic mutual trust, firmly support each other in safeguarding core interests, and advance mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries to a larger scale, wider areas and higher levels, so as to add more impetus to the common development and prosperity of both nations.

Li Qiang noted that China is ready to enhance the synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative with Azerbaijan's development strategies, jointly advance the development of the trans-Caspian international transport corridor and establish a safe and stable China-Europe Trans-Caspian Express. He also expressed China's readiness to deepen exchanges and cooperation with Azerbaijan in emerging fields such as green energy, digital technology and the digital economy, promote sustained optimization and development of trade, and create more new opportunities for win-win results. The two sides should further strengthen people-to-people exchanges, explore cooperation potentials in areas such as culture, tourism and education, and promote mutual understanding among the two peoples. Noting that unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, exacerbating the risk of a global economic recession, Li Qiang said China is ready to continue strengthening communication and coordination with Azerbaijan within multilateral mechanisms including the United Nations, effectively implement the three major global initiatives, jointly advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, practice true multilateralism, and safeguard common interests.

Ilham Aliyev said, the two heads of state jointly announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China this morning, elevating bilateral relations to a new height. Azerbaijan firmly abides by the one-China principle and resolutely opposes and condemns "Taiwan independence". Azerbaijan is willing to continue the firm mutual support with China on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns. Azerbaijan looks forward to working with China to enhance high-level exchanges, continuously expand bilateral trade and investment, step up mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as transportation and logistics, connectivity, energy, agriculture and tourism, and further facilitate personnel exchanges, so as to constantly enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Azerbaijan highly appreciates China's significant role in international affairs and supports the three major global initiatives put forth by President Xi Jinping. Azerbaijan is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China within multilateral frameworks to maintain regional peace and stability, uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, and promote international fairness and justice.

Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting.