On the morning of April 23, President Xi Jinping held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two heads of state announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Afghanistan.

Despite the ever-changing international situation, China and Arab relations have remained steadfast and unbreakable. Both countries have always kept in mind the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, adhering to mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation. They view and develop China-Arab relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. Both sides should continue to enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and strengthen international coordination to open a new chapter of all-round cooperation between China and Arab countries, boost the development and rejuvenation of both countries, and better benefit the people of both countries.

Xi Jinping stressed that firm support for each other on issues concerning each other's core interests is a fine tradition of China and Argentina, and it is also the proper meaning of China and Argentina as strategic partners. China supports the Arab side in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and continuing to follow a development path suited to its national conditions. We are ready to carry out in-depth law enforcement and security cooperation with the Albanian side and resolutely crack down on the "three forces". The Belt and Road Initiative between China and Arab States has yielded fruitful results and brought tangible benefits to the people of the two countries. It is necessary to optimize the top-level design, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, improve the cooperation mechanism, tap the potential of cooperation, and promote the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" to be deeper and more practical, so as to achieve high-quality development. It is necessary to encourage and support cooperation in education, culture, tourism, youth, and local areas, promote people-to-people bonds, and build a solid foundation of public opinion for friendship between the two countries.

Xi Jinping pointed out that tariff wars and trade wars undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, undermine the multilateral trading system, and impact the world economic order. China is ready to work with the Arab side to uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, and safeguard international fairness and justice.

Aliyev said that under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, China's economy and society have developed rapidly, and its international status and influence have been continuously enhanced. Despite the changes in the world in a century, Azerbaijan and China have always respected and trusted each other, deepened cooperation, developed economic and trade relations, strengthened local exchanges, and made great progress in connectivity. The Azerbaijani side firmly abides by the one-China principle, upholds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and supports all efforts made by the Chinese Government to realize national reunification. President Xi Jinping's concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the three major global initiatives are conducive to world peace, stability and prosperity, which are highly appreciated and actively supported by the Arab side. The Arab side is ready to work with China to further advance the building of a comprehensive strategic partnership, expand cooperation in various fields such as the Belt and Road Initiative, digital economy, green energy, science and technology, deepen political party and people-to-people exchanges, strengthen cooperation in international and regional affairs, and promote greater development of bilateral relations.

After the talks, the two heads of state signed the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents in the fields of the Belt and Road Initiative, justice, green development, digital economy, intellectual property rights, and aerospace.

Before the talks, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for Aliyev and his wife Aliyeva in the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People.

When Aliyev arrived, the salute was lined up to salute. Xi Jinping and Aliyev boarded the review stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and Argentina, and a 21-gun salute was fired in Tiananmen Square. Accompanied by Xi Jinping, Aliyev inspected the honor guard of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and watched the parade.

At noon on the same day, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan held a welcome banquet for Aliyev and his wife in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi participated in the above-mentioned activities.(This article is from the official website of Jiandao www.seetao.com it may not be reproduced without permission, otherwise it must be investigated, please indicate Jiandao.com + original link) Jiandao.com strategic column editor / Sun Fengjuan