Beijing: Azerbaijan Railways and China Railway have taken a significant step towards strengthening their partnership in the railway sector with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the agreement was formalized during a meeting in Beijing between Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of ‘Azerbaijan Railways’ CJSC (ADY), and Sun Shuyou, President of the ‘China Railway’ State Corporation. This development underscores the strategic relations between Azerbaijan and China, especially in transportation and logistics.
The meeting highlighted the importance of the cooperation between the railway institutions of the two countries, which includes transit transportation, multimodal solutions, infrastructure development, and digitalization of processes. The state visit of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev to China on April 22, 2025, was noted as a pivotal moment in bilateral relations, with a focus on developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) as a key transit link between East and West.
In 2024, the cooperation led to a 47% increase in rail cargo transport between Azerbaijan and China, reaching 612,000 tons. The number of block trains from China also saw a significant rise, with 287 received in 2024 and 199 in the first half of the current year. Expectations are set for this number to exceed 400 by the year’s end.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to further develop and strengthen the cooperation between Azerbaijan Railways and China Railway in railway transportation, transit, and digital projects. The document outlines key directions such as creating favorable conditions for freight transportation, optimizing management processes, and applying modern technologies to enhance service quality. It also emphasizes the strategic importance of multimodal transportation along the Middle Corridor and the integration of logistics terminals in China and Azerbaijan.
Additionally, the document highlights the involvement of ‘China Railway Container Transport Corp. Ltd.’ (CRCT) in the joint venture ‘Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd.’ established by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, to advance the Middle Corridor and deepen railway cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative.
During the visit, Rovshan Rustamov also met with Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of ‘Kazakhstan Railways’ National Company JSC. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation in transit transportation and ensuring the timely delivery of container cargo from China to Europe.
Moreover, the ADY delegation participated in the 12th International Congress on High-Speed Railways in Beijing, discussing the role of high-speed trains in economic development, sustainability, and technological innovations.