BEIJING (RFE/RL) — Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly reaffirmed China’s desire to deepen political, economic and cultural ties with Armenia when he met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Beijing on Tuesday, May 14.
“Xi Jinping expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation will develop soon in the areas of trade, industry, transport and culture,” Pashinyan’s press office said in a statement on the talks. “The Chinese president added that his country will continue to support projects that will contribute to Armenia’s development and enhance the well-being of the Armenian people.”
“We are united by the common goals of cooperation of civilizations,” the statement quoted Xi as saying. “We are well aware of momentous events in the history of Armenia. We believe that tragic events that befell the Armenian people must be prevented in the future.”
“Our peoples represent ancient civilizations,” Pashinyan said for his part. “Already in the 5th century Armenian manuscripts described ties between the two peoples.”
“Constructive and productive relations with China are very important for us,” he added.
Chinese-Armenian relations have been cordial ever since Armenia gained independence in 1991. Xi and former Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian reported “mutual understanding on issues relating to pivotal interests and concerns of the two countries” after holding talks in Beijing in 2015.
