Minister Rashad Nabiyev held series of meetings during his visit to China
On September 25-27, Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev paid a working visit to the People’s Republic of China.
During the visit, Rashad Nabiyev met with Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng. During the negotiations, issues of strengthening ties between the two countries in the field of transport and logistics were discussed. During the meeting, it was noted that special importance is attached to the development of the Middle Corridor within the framework of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative.
The sides discussed the possibilities of cooperation in railway and road transport, joint freight service and public transport, frequency and possibilities of expanding air communication. Views were exchanged on the establishment of a relevant working group.
At the meeting with the leadership of the Railroad Administration, the development of cooperation between the two countries in the field of railroads was discussed. Specific steps were identified to increase cargo turnover with China and strengthen cooperation between the countries towards the development of the Middle Corridor.
Rashad Nabiyev also met with Song Zhiyong, head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, which forms the aviation policy of the country. They discussed the development of cooperation between the two countries, including the training of pilots and organization of trainings. The sides exchanged views on increasing the number of direct flights and destinations, as well as the possibility for Chinese companies to become operators of regional airports in Azerbaijan.
Within the framework of the visit, the minister also met with the leadership of China’s leading transport companies Yutong and Zhongtong. In the course of the meeting, the sides discussed the issues of using the introduction of electric buses within the framework of projects implemented in the field of mobility in Baku city, as well as the establishment of enterprises for their production by relevant companies in our country.
At the meeting with representatives of leading logistics companies, proposals of companies having experience in the Middle Corridor were heard. The companies emphasized that they will encourage different regions of China to allocate subsidies and quotas for cargo volumes in the direction of the Middle Corridor.
During the visit, Rashad Nabiyev also met with Zhang Yunming, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology. During the meeting, the sides discussed issues related to the development of cooperation between the two countries in the field of ICT and digital development. The sides also exchanged views on the establishment of knowledge-intensive production enterprises by Chinese companies in Azerbaijan, cooperation with leading universities, technoparks, incubation and acceleration centers of China, organization of joint exchange and training programs.
In addition, during the visit, the minister met with representatives of the country’s leading airlines and the tourism sector. During the meeting, it was emphasized that the opening of direct air communication between the cities of the two countries, the increase in the destinations and frequency of flights contribute to the development of tourism ties.
Rashad Nabiyev also met with the management of Huawei, familiarized himself with the activities of the company’s Research and Development Center. In order to apply China’s experience in the field of artificial intelligence in our country, a preliminary agreement was reached on the establishment of an artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory in Azerbaijan jointly with Huawei, including the company’s participation in the development of a smart transport system in Baku.
