Cooperation in the Trade and Economic Sphere
Economic cooperation between the two countries is growing rapidly. Azerbaijan and China are exploring prospects for attracting direct investment in the non-oil sector, particularly in high technologies and innovations, including artificial intelligence, as well as for joint cooperation in alternative and renewable energy, and in the implementation of “smart city” and “green city” projects.
China is Azerbaijan’s main source of imports and one of the country’s five leading trading partners. According to statistics released by the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in 2024, the total trade turnover between Azerbaijan and China increased by 20.7% to USD 3.744 billion, up from USD 3.1 billion in 2023. During the same period, imports totaled USD 3.725 billion, exports totaled USD 19.7 million, and the foreign trade balance recorded a deficit of USD 3.528 billion.
Main export products: petroleum coke; polyethylene in primary forms; jet kerosene fuel; iodine; glycosides, their salts and ethers; chocolate; optical and medical instruments; thiophanate oils and salts; pomegranate juice; grape wine; and articles of base metals.
Main import products: machinery, electrical equipment and parts; base metals and articles thereof; vehicles for land transport and parts thereof; pharmaceutical products; optical, medical, photographic and precision instruments; clothing and apparel accessories; plastics; rubber and articles thereof (primarily new automobile tires); other chemical industry products; lamps and lighting equipment; footwear, gaiters and similar articles; tools and articles of base metals; paper and paperboard and articles thereof; toys, games and sports equipment.
Azerbaijan Trade and Wine Houses established in various regions of China are contributing to the development of bilateral trade relations. In this regard, Azerbaijan Trade or Wine Houses have been established in the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Qingdao, Lianyungang, Nanjing, and Zhangjiajie.
In addition, high-quality products manufactured in Azerbaijan are sold online through the Azerbaijan Trade House, launched on China’s well-known JD e-commerce platform.
The Republic of Azerbaijan is among the first countries to have supported the Belt and Road Initiative. In this context, Azerbaijan is implementing substantial practical projects, and it can be stated with confidence that, after China, it is the country that has invested the most in implementing this initiative, both within its own territory and beyond its borders.
Historically serving as a connecting link between East and West, Azerbaijan is making a significant contribution to diversifying transport and logistics routes. As has already been demonstrated in practice, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor — the Middle Corridor has emerged as the most optimal and secure route for the delivery of cargo from China to Europe and back.
In the first nine months of 2024, transit transportation between Azerbaijan and China increased by 78% year-on-year, reaching 277,000 tons. The delivery time of the relevant containers through Azerbaijan to ports in Georgia has been reduced to 12 days.
An Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation operates between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China.
Co-Chairs of the Commission:
From the Republic of Azerbaijan: Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev
From the People’s Republic of China: Vice Minister of Commerce Ling Ji
The 10th meeting of the Commission was held in Baku on 16 April 2025.