Beijing: On May 28, an official reception was held in Beijing to commemorate Azerbaijan's Independence Day. The event, organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in China and supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, gathered Chinese officials, diplomatic mission heads in Beijing, and public representatives.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Azerbaijani Ambassador to China, Bunyad Huseynov, highlighted Azerbaijan's strategic position as a bridge between Asia and Europe. This geographic advantage, he noted, dates back to the era of the ancient Silk Road, and has helped foster a high-level political dialogue between Azerbaijan and China since 1994. Initiated by National Leader Heydar Aliyev's visit to China, this dialogue has been further developed by President Ilham Aliyev into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Ambassador Huseynov emphasized the mutual trust and friendly relations between the heads of state, Ilham Aliyev and Xi Jinping, which underpin the current dynamic developments across various fields such as politics, economy, military, and culture. He also discussed Azerbaijan's significant role in the Belt and Road Initiative, noting its status as a key participant second only to China in terms of investment involvement. The planned reopening of the Zangezur Corridor by Azerbaijan's President is expected to further contribute to the project.

The ambassador also highlighted the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's role in enhancing humanitarian cooperation between Azerbaijan and China. During the event, Ambassador Sun Linjiang, the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, conveyed congratulations from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He acknowledged Azerbaijan's progress under President Ilham Aliyev's leadership and noted the over 30 percent increase in bilateral trade turnover in the first quarter of the year, attributing this growth to successful cooperation within the Belt and Road framework.