On September 23, an official reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was held at the Gulustan Palace.

Welcoming the guests, Lu Mei, Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan, noted that this year marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as well as the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

According to her, China continues to make significant contributions to global economic growth. “As a vital engine of global growth, the Chinese economy has accounted for roughly 30 percent of global economic expansion in recent years.”

“The green transition has become a salient feature of China’s modernization. China plays a crucial role in driving the global green transition. The country has established the world's largest green energy industry chain and provided many countries with access to affordable, high-quality, and environmentally friendly energy solutions,” the diplomat noted.

The ambassador said freight volumes transported via the China-Europe Railway Express through Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea are expected to double this year.

Touching upon the cooperation with Azerbaijan, Ambassador Lu Mei fondly recalled her participation at the inauguration of the Gobustan Solar Power Plant together with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Speaking at the event, Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, said that the Azerbaijan-China tourism ties have been developing steadily in recent years.

“The number of Chinese nationals traveling to China increased 42 percent, while the tourist flow from Azerbaijan to China rose approximately 85 percent in 2025,” the Deputy PM noted.

“Since 1995, $976 million in direct investment has been made from China into Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijani investments in China have totaled $1.9 billion,” he mentioned.

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the important role of the transport and transit sector in Azerbaijan-China cooperation, noting that transit cargo volumes reached 272,600 tons in the first seven months of 2026, up 8 percent compared with the same period last year.

The event brought together senior Azerbaijani government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, prominent public figures, and representatives of the Chinese community.

The reception featured a cultural program, including an exhibition where guests explored traditional Chinese arts and heritage.