A freight train bound for Azerbaijan leaves the multimodal transport center in the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organisation local economic and trade cooperation demonstration zone in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, on January 31, 2021. Photo: cnsphoto
Editor's Note:
Azerbaijan has been one of the earliest and most active respondents and participants of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), having actively engaged in a wide range of investments and projects. As bilateral relations between China and Azerbaijan have reached an unprecedented level, advancements within the new-energy vehicle (NEV) industry and the China-Europe freight train sector are viewed as two main highlights in the bilateral cooperation. In a recent exclusive interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Yin Yeping, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to China, Bunyad Huseynov (Huseynov), conveyed his aspirations to deepen ties with China within the framework of BRI cooperation for mutual benefits.
GT: Azerbaijan is one of the earliest countries to respond to and actively participate in the joint construction of the China-proposed BRI. How do you comment on the significance that joining the BRI has brought to your country? What are your expectations for strengthening cooperation under the initiative?
Huseynov: The ancient Silk Road has already connected Azerbaijan and China. Azerbaijan is one of the first countries to support the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and has participated in numerous related investments and projects. Currently, relevant government authorities of Azerbaijan have reached an agreement with China's National Development and Reform Commission, on signing a road map for jointly building the Belt and Road. The agreement covers various cooperative fields including trade, investment, transportation, technology, and finance.
The significance of the BRI extends beyond economic and trade; it serves as a platform for exchanges among different countries and civilizations. Since its proposal, the initiative has been actively promoting cooperation among countries and facilitating regional collaboration.
In my view, the value of this global cooperation initiative lies in "building bridges rather than walls," demonstrating the spirit of cooperation and openness required for current global development. Azerbaijan looks forward to deepening multifaced cooperation with China in areas such as economic, trade, investment, green energy, interregional cooperation, cultural exchanges, tourism, and climate change.
GT: China possesses industrial advantages that encompass products such as NEVs. At the same time, Azerbaijan is actively promoting green transformation. How do you view the potential for cooperation between the two countries in this field?
Huseynov: China's remarkable achievements in the field of new energy are well known. This November, Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Recently, the Azerbaijani Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and president-designate of the COP29 Mukhtar Babayev visited China along with his delegation. This was the first overseas trip of our COP team, aiming to understand China's expectations ahead of the conference. I believe that both countries share a high degree of consensus on the green agenda.
China leads in wind energy, solar energy, and electric vehicles and it is willing to share its achievements with other countries, demonstrating China's open and win-win cooperation attitude.
In Azerbaijan, Chinese companies are involved in the green energy transition as investors, builders, and operators. Recently, Azerbaijan initiated a bidding process to build a NEV factory. BYD successfully won the bid and signed an agreement to establish a joint venture company and set up an electric bus production line in Azerbaijan.
Additionally, we plan to gradually replace fuel-powered buses in the capital Baku with electric buses.
At the same time, we are also in communication with Contemporary Amperex Technology - Chinese lithium-ion battery company - regarding the construction of energy storage production projects in Azerbaijan.
The Embassy of Azerbaijan in China is also actively promoting green transformation and strengthening cooperation with China in this field, including replacing the embassy's fuel vehicles with BYD's NEVs.
Moreover, Chinese companies are actively involved in investing and constructing photovoltaic power stations in Azerbaijan.
We greatly appreciate China sharing its development experience and achievements in the field of new energy with other countries including Azerbaijan.
In addition to the field of new energy, the potential for cooperation between the two countries is enormous in a number of fields. Azerbaijan is fully ready to develop economic and trade relations with China without setting any ceiling or limits in terms of scope, with cooperation in multiple areas including trade, technology, digitalization, agriculture, and logistics.
GT: What is your perspective regarding the recent Western discourse on China's "overcapacity" fallacy in new energy?
Huseynov: China not only produces high-quality and affordable products but also is willing to share these achievements with the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China generously shared its vaccine and other important anti-pandemic items, helping many countries in overcoming hardships.
Now, the world is at a crucial moment in the transition to green energy, and Chinese companies are collaborating with other countries with an open attitude to help them achieve this energy transformation. This initiative is worthy of praise. Regardless of how certain media outlets may perceive it, I greatly appreciate China's open and cooperative attitude.
Azerbaijani Ambassador to China Bunyad Huseynov Photo: Yin Yeping/GT
GT: How do you evaluate the achievements of the cooperation between the two countries when it comes to China-Europe freight trains? Are there any new plans to strengthen the capacity and transportation network of China-Europe freight trains?
Huseynov: Due to ongoing geopolitical conflicts worldwide, the importance of the trans-Caspian international transportation corridor, also known as the Middle Corridor, is increasing. The Middle Corridor is now considered one of the safest and most efficient cross-border railway transport routes. As the Chinese government advances the process of promoting high-quality joint construction of the BRI, promoting the Middle Corridor has become one of the significant measures on the agenda. Currently several regional countries including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan are in discussions on how to enhance regional railway transportation efficiency.
In November 2023, during my visit to Xi'an, I was deeply impressed by the scale and level of the railway port there. During the visit, I also held discussions with Chinese officials on improving the transportation efficiency of the Middle Corridor.
Starting from this year, the China-Europe freight train (Xi'an-Baku) increased frequency of trains across the Middle Corridor. This railway line starts from Xi'an, passes through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, and arrives at the port of Baku in Azerbaijan, with the entire transportation time taking about 11 days. This train service significantly reduces overall logistics costs and improves the efficiency of cross-regional transportation. Through the secure, low-cost, and efficient railway transportation corridor, goods produced in China can be transported to Europe, while also facilitating the entry of European goods into the China market. Furthermore, Azerbaijan's role as an important link in the railway transportation hub connecting East and West is further highlighted.
A freight train bound for Azerbaijan leaves the multimodal transport center in the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organisation local economic and trade cooperation demonstration zone in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, on January 31, 2021. Photo: cnsphoto
A freight train bound for Azerbaijan leaves the multimodal transport center in the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organisation local economic and trade cooperation demonstration zone in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, on January 31, 2021. Photo: cnsphoto
编者按：
阿塞拜疆是中国提出的“一带一路”倡议最早、最活跃的响应国和参与者之一，积极参与了广泛的投资和项目。随着中阿双边关系达到前所未有的水平，新能源汽车行业和中欧货运列车领域的进步被视为双边合作的两大亮点。阿塞拜疆驻华大使侯赛诺夫（Huseynov）最近在接受《环球时报》记者尹业平专访时，表达了在“一带一路”合作框架内深化与中国互利共赢关系的愿望。
环球时报：阿塞拜疆是最早响应并积极参与中国倡议共建“一带一路”倡议的国家之一。您如何评价加入“一带一路”倡议给贵国带来的意义？中方对加强“一带一路”合作有何期待？
侯赛诺夫：古老的丝绸之路已经连接了阿塞拜疆和中国。阿塞拜疆是最早支持中国提出的“一带一路”倡议的国家之一，并参与了许多相关投资和项目。目前，阿塞拜疆政府有关部门已与中国国家发展和改革委员会就签署共建“一带一路”路线图达成协议。该协议涵盖贸易、投资、交通、技术和金融等多个合作领域。 “一带一路”倡议的意义不仅限于经贸;它是不同国家和文明之间交流的平台。自提出以来，该倡议一直在积极促进国家间的合作，促进区域合作。 在我看来，这一全球合作倡议的价值在于“搭建桥梁而不是筑墙”，彰显了当前全球发展所需的合作与开放精神。阿塞拜疆期待同中国深化在经贸、投资、绿色能源、区域间合作、文化交流、旅游、气候变化等领域的多方面合作。
环球时报：中国拥有包括新能源汽车等产品在内的产业优势。与此同时，阿塞拜疆正在积极推动绿色转型。您如何看待两国在这一领域的合作潜力？
侯赛诺夫：中国在新能源领域取得的显着成就是众所周知的。今年11月，阿塞拜疆将在阿塞拜疆首都巴库主办第29届《联合国气候变化框架公约》缔约方会议（COP29）。
近日，阿塞拜疆生态和自然资源部长、COP29候任主席穆赫塔尔·巴巴耶夫一行访问中国。这是我们COP团队的首次海外访问，旨在了解中国在会议前的期望。我认为，两国在绿色议程上有着高度的共识。 中国在风能、太阳能、电动汽车等领域处于领先地位，愿与各国分享成果，展现了中国开放共赢的合作态度。 在阿塞拜疆，中国公司作为投资者、建设者和运营商参与绿色能源转型。
最近，阿塞拜疆启动了建设新能源汽车工厂的招标进程。比亚迪成功中标，并签署协议，在阿塞拜疆成立合资公司并创建电动客车生产线。 此外，我们计划逐步用电动公交车取代首都巴库的燃油公交车。
同时，我们还与中国锂离子电池公司宁德时代科技公司就阿塞拜疆储能生产项目的建设进行了沟通。阿塞拜疆驻华使馆也在积极推动绿色转型，加强与中方在该领域的合作，包括用比亚迪的新能源汽车取代使馆的燃油车。
此外，中国企业还积极参与在阿塞拜疆投资和建设光伏电站。我们非常感谢中方与包括阿塞拜疆在内的其他国家分享新能源领域的发展经验和成果。
除新能源领域外，两国在多个领域的合作潜力巨大。阿塞拜疆完全愿意与中国发展经贸关系，在贸易、技术、数字化、农业和物流等多个领域开展合作，不设任何上限或范围限制。
环球时报：您如何看待西方最近关于中国新能源“产能过剩”谬论的论述？
侯赛诺夫：中国不仅生产高质量、价格合理的产品，而且愿意与世界分享这些成果。新冠肺炎疫情期间，中方慷慨分享疫苗等重要抗疫物资，帮助多国攻坚克难。 现在，世界正处于向绿色能源转型的关键时刻，中国企业正以开放的态度与其他国家合作，帮助他们实现能源转型。这一举措值得称赞。不管某些媒体如何看待它，我都非常欣赏中国的开放和合作态度。
环球时报：您如何评价两国在中欧班列合作取得的成果？有没有新的计划来加强中欧班列的运力和运输网络？
侯赛诺夫：由于全球持续的地缘政治冲突，跨里海国际运输走廊（也称为中间走廊）的重要性正在增加。中间走廊现在被认为是最安全、最高效的跨境铁路运输路线之一。随着中国政府推进推进“一带一路”高质量共建进程，推进“中间走廊”建设成为议事日程的重要举措之一。目前，哈萨克斯坦、土库曼斯坦、乌兹别克斯坦、格鲁吉亚、土耳其和阿塞拜疆等几个地区国家正在讨论如何提高区域铁路运输效率。 2023年11月，在习访问期间，我对那里铁路口岸的规模和水平印象深刻。访问期间，我还与中国官员就提高中间走廊的运输效率进行了讨论。
从今年开始，中欧货运列车（习-巴库）增加了穿越中间走廊的列车频率。这条铁路线从中国开始，穿过跨里海国际运输走廊，到达阿塞拜疆的巴库港，整个运输时间约为11天。这种火车服务大大降低了整体物流成本，提高了跨区域运输的效率。通过安全、低成本、高效的铁路运输走廊，中国生产的货物可以运往欧洲，同时也方便欧洲货物进入中国市场。此外，阿塞拜疆作为连接东西方的铁路运输枢纽的重要纽带的作用也得到了进一步强调。
