🔥 Azerbaijan is doubling down on its role as a linchpin between Asia and Europe, with President Ilham Aliyev calling its upgraded ties with China 'a blueprint for 21st-century collaboration' in an exclusive interview with CGTN’s Liu Xin. Fresh off his recent state visit to Beijing, Aliyev shared how the two nations are moving beyond traditional infrastructure projects into green energy, tech innovation, and deeper cultural bonds. Here’s the scoop:
🚂 Middle Corridor: Where East Meets West
Dubbed the 'Digital Silk Road,' Azerbaijan’s Middle Corridor has turbocharged trade between China and Europe, slashing transit times for goods. "We’re not just moving cargo—we’re building synapses for a smarter global economy," Aliyev told CGTN.
🌱 Green Energy & AI: The Next Frontier
With the newly minted 'comprehensive strategic partnership', both countries are betting big on renewables like wind and solar. Aliyev hinted at joint ventures in AI and smart logistics, joking, "Imagine drones delivering your baozi in Baku." 🥟
🎭 Culture & Youth: The Hidden Thread
From film festivals to student exchanges, Aliyev emphasized "heart-to-heart connectivity" as key to sustaining long-term ties. Pro tip for travelers: Azerbaijan’s visa-free policy for Chinese tourists is making it the new hotspot for Silk Road selfies. 📸
