Yerevan, September 21, 2023 – The Armenian China-Eurasia Council for Political and Strategic Research and the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) met in Yerevan, marking another milestone in their collaboration. Since signing a memorandum of understanding on August 11, 2020, both organizations have achieved remarkable results in public diplomacy and academic cooperation.

During the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing people-to-people contacts, academic exchanges, and cultural cooperation. Their joint efforts aim to strengthen the bonds between China and Armenia, fostering deeper Sino-Armenian relations.

Dr. Mher Sahakyan, Director of the China-Eurasia Council for Political and Strategic Research, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made over the past three years. He highlighted the successful cooperation and mutual support in organizing conferences and seminars that have connected individuals from Armenia, China, and across the Eurasian continent. Dr. Sahakyan also commended the leadership of Mrs Cui Li, vice president of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation Commission of the SCO for her instrumental role in advancing this collaboration.

Ms. Cui Li, Deputy Chairman of the SCO China Committee on Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, expressed her gratitude to the China-Eurasia Council for Political and Strategic Studies and personally to Mr. Mher Sahakyan for the invitation and warm welcome. She mentioned that the China-Eurasia Political and Strategic Studies Council is a young but promising organization that will play an essential role in strengthening traditional friendships and achieving success through public diplomacy.
In September 2013, at the SCO summit in Bishkek, President of the PRC Xi Jinping announced the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Committee on Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. The Committee celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Under the auspices of the “Shanghai Spirit” – mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, the pursuit of joint development, jointly expand cooperation through public diplomacy to benefit all peoples of the SCO countries. China’s Belt and Road initiative is also celebrating its 10th anniversary. China is willing to share with Armenia the accomplishments of Chinese modernization, bring together positive public forces, and enhance collaboration in academic, scientific, technical, cultural, trade, and economic sectors. This also includes cooperation in health care, education, the digital economy, rural development, green development, and other areas.

Mr. Fang Yong, Ambassador of the PRC to Armenia, emphasized the importance of the visit by the delegation of the Chinese SCO Committee for Good Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation to Armenia. He stated that the visit would help strengthen humanitarian exchange between the two countries, explore new areas for cooperation and deepen the traditional friendship between China and Armenia. The Chinese Embassy in Armenia is willing to collaborate closely with all parties and serve as a bridge between our two countries.

This meeting represents a significant step forward in building stronger academic partnerships, and cultural exchanges between Armenia and China. The commitment of both organizations to continue working together bodes well for the future of Sino-Armenian relations and the broader Eurasian community.

Mrs. Zheng Wei, Minister-Counsellor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC, Secretary-General of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the SCO, Mr. Gagik Galachyan, Head of the Department of World Politics and International Relations of Russian-Armenian University, Mr. Armen Zakaryan, Director of the Yerevan School of Political Studies, Mr. Hakob Abrahamyan, Assistant of  the Prime Minister of Armenia, Mrs Wei Yang Deputy Division Chief of the National Health Commission of the PRC, Mrs Li Сui Head of the Media Division of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the SCO and other experts and diplomats also attended in this meeting.