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Azerbaijan’s Contribution to the Chinese Belt & Road Initiative

Article · May 2020

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Bahruz Babayev
Azerbaijan State University of Economics
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GCRF COMPASS: Comprehensive Capacity-Building in the Eastern Neighbourhood and
Central Asia: research integration, impact governance & sustainable communities.

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 AZERBAIJAN’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHINESE BELT & ROAD
INITIATIVE (BRI)

Table of Contents

ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... 2
BACKGROUND................................................................................................................................... 2
STRATEGIC INTERESTS OF AZERBAIJAN ............................................................................................. 4
CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................ 6
References ........................................................................................................................................ 6

Authors:

Bahruz Babyev, Lecturer at the University of Economics (Azerbaijan)

Fariz Ismailzade, GCRF COMPASS Project Associate and Vice Rector at ADA University (Azerbaijan)

GCRF COMPASS project (ES/P010849/1, 2017-21) is an ambitious UK government capacity-building

funding initiative, aiming to extend UK research globally and to address the challenges of growth and
sustainability in developing countries. Notably, the COMPASS project led by the University of Kent, in
partnership with the University of Cambridge, seeks to establish the ‘hubs of excellence’ at the top-
level Higher Education Institutions in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, to enable them
to become the centres for knowledge-sharing and transfer for research integration, impact
governance, and sustainable communities.

ADA University

ADA University is a leading university in Azerbaijan, focusing on degree programs and research in the
fields of Social Sciences, Law, Education, IT and Engineering. Established in 2006, the university is the
only English-language university in the country and has partnership agreements with more than 60
universities around the world. Since 2014, the university has Excellence Center in EU Studies,
established jointly with EU Delegation in Azerbaijan. Students from 55 countries receive education at
ADA University.

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ABSTRACT

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was initiated by the Chinese government in 2013 to promote regional
trade and increase Chinese political and economic presence in the region. The main instrument for
realising the ambition of this initiative is the Chinese provision of financial support to the countries
located on the Ancient Silk Road to implement infrastructure projects. It includes the construction of
roads, railroads, seaports, logistic centres, and communication facilities. Azerbaijan is a BRI partner-
country in the South Caucasus strategically located between Asia and Europe. It can play the role of a
strategic partner and hub connecting China with the Middle East and Europe. The paper finds out that
China accepts Azerbaijan as a reliable partner. Azerbaijan perceives BRI as a promising initiative. The
Azerbaijani government has a political will and the capacity to contribute to the BRI. By offering some
key recommendations, the paper concludes that China and Azerbaijan should closely work to
strengthen the BRI's influence in Central Asia and South Caucasus and prioritise the Trans-Caspian
International Transport Route (TITR) passing through Azerbaijan.

Keywords: Belt & Road Initiative, China, Azerbaijan, integration, trade, and investment

AZERBAIJAN’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHINESE BELT & ROAD

INITIATIVE (BRI)

BACKGROUND
BRI is a global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013. The strategy intends
cooperation with more than 70 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The main instrument
for cooperation is the Chinese investments in infrastructure development in countries located along
the ancient Silk Road that includes the constructions of roads, seaports, railways, and communication
facilities in partner countries. Furthermore, the Chinese government supports projects promoting
trade, integration and investments with partner countries. It is characterised by its solid institutional
framework. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Silk Road Fund, and the University Alliance of
the Silk Road have been established to implement the project. The BRI is composed of multiple trade
corridors that are China–Mongolia–Russia, China–Central Asia–Western Asia, the Indo-China Peninsula,
China–Pakistan and Bangladesh–China–India–Myanmar (Lu, Rohr, Hafner and Knack, 2018: 3). The
Chinese government issued its ‘Vision and Actions of the Belt and Road’ that reveals the goals of China's
grand project (Zeng, 2016: 517). However, most researchers consider that BRI expresses the global
ambitions of China (Du, 2016: 43).

Located at the crossroads of the East and West, Azerbaijan that offers an advantageous location and
logistic opportunities to accommodate Chinese exports coming through Central Asia and the Caspian

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Sea has welcomed the BRI from its earliest days. The strategic location of Azerbaijan and the Caspian
Sea which can connect the East and the West has been recognized since the times of the ancient Silk
Road. Azerbaijan is the main country located on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR)
(See figure 1) which is critical to the middle East-West corridor of the Economic Belt (1News, 2019). The
BRI overlaps with the strategic interests of Azerbaijan, therefore it is perceived as a welcoming initiative.
When the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended 2nd “One Belt One Road” Forum in Beijing on
April 26, 2019, he reiterated Azerbaijan’s important role in terms of providing transit opportunities for
many countries (President.az 2019a).

Figure 1: Trans-Caspian International Transport Route

Source: Trans-Caspian International Route (Photo Credit: TITR Association)

Azerbaijan’s participation in the BRI started with the “Memorandum of Understanding on Joint
Encouragement of the Establishment of Silk Way Economic Belt” signed between two countries when
the President Aliyev visited China in 2015 (Azertac, 2019). Ilham Aliyev repeatedly pointed out that
Azerbaijan fully supports China's initiative. When President Aliyev attended the 2nd BRI Forum, about
10 agreements were signed including the Strategic Partnership Agreement between ADY Container, a
subsidiary of Azerbaijan Railways Company, and Xi'an Continental Bridge International Logistics Co., Ltd
and a Strategic Memorandum of Cooperation between China Telecom and AzerTelecom, which is the
main internet provider in connecting Azerbaijan to the global network, on the establishment of the
Asia-Europe telecommunications corridor and transmission of China's internet traffic through
Azerbaijan (China Daily; Caspian News, 2019 ).

When meeting with the Chairman of People's Republic of China Xi Jinping in Beijing on April 24, 2019,
President Aliyev expressed his full support to the BRI and called political relations between China and
Azerbaijan of “high-level” importance (President.az, 2019c). Azerbaijan president’s last visit to China
ended with the willingness of both parties to reinforce the existing partnerships. The trade turnover

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between Azerbaijan and China has been developing at an increasing pace and reached $1.3 billion in
2019.

From a Chinese perspective, Azerbaijan can offer a lot of partnership opportunities for the
implementation of this project considering Azerbaijan’s great location connecting European and Asian
trade roads, the available transportation infrastructure from the Caspian Sea to the West established
with the support provided by Azerbaijan, its keen interest in the development of cooperation on
transportation corridors, interconnectedness and trade from the East to the West (Lianlei, 2016: 27-
39). Moreover, it is important to highlight that the shortest railway road between China and European
countries passes through Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a reliable partner for China from a political point of
view since it has contributed to ensuring European energy security playing a hyperactive role in the EU's
regional transport and energy projects, including Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, TRACECA, INOGATE,
TAP, TANAP and others.

STRATEGIC INTERESTS OF AZERBAIJAN

The development of the oil and gas sector since the 1990s has played an important role in increasing
Azerbaijan’s financial potential, boosting economic growth, achieving political stability and enabling it
to actively participate in infrastructure projects. As part of its diversification strategy, Azerbaijan is
trying to become a transit hub to diversify its economy by investing its oil revenues in building modern
transportation infrastructure. From an Azerbaijani perspective, the BRI is a positive project which may
permit Azerbaijan to fill its funding gap (Valiyev, 2019: 3). It is Azerbaijan's strategic interest to become
a connecting hub of logistics between Europe and Asia which will enable the country to benefit from
transportation and transit fees. Azerbaijan regards China’s BRI to diversify its oil depended economy.
When the president Ilham Aliyev participated in the “Advancing the Belt and Road Initiative: China`s
Trillion-Dollar Vision” session in Davos on January 22, 2019, he mentioned that “we are investing in
infrastructure inside the country to build roads, highways, airports, for gasification and power
generation. We have also invested in transport infrastructure. This will enable us to transport cargoes
from the East to the West, from the North to the South and from the South to the North” (President.az
2019b).

Therefore, Azerbaijan is one of the few countries of the historic Silk Road located in the heart of Eurasia,
situated at the junction of East and West, which is actively involved in the establishment of international
trade corridors and modern transportation infrastructure. Azerbaijan managed to create the shortest
railway connection between China and Europe in no time. The Baku Cargo Terminal, Azerbaijan's six
international airports, the Alat trade port, the Caspian fleet, free economic zone, modern cargo ships
on the Caspian and the Baku-Tbilisi- Kars (BTK) (see figure 2) railway, established in 2017, are part of
Azerbaijan's useful contributions to trade routes connecting the East with the West (Belt & Road News,
2019). It is not a coincidence that former-Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US State for European and
Eurasian Affairs David A. Merkel called Azerbaijan “the beating heart of the BRI” while participating at
a panel titled “China's Development and Opportunities for the World” as part of the VII Global Baku

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Forum (Ona Online News Agency, 2019). Azerbaijan has both technical and financial capacity and
political willingness to further promote China’s initiative. The country's favourable location, as well as
a well-developed road and transport infrastructure, allows it to participate in international projects.

Figure 2: the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK)

Source: Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway officially launched (Photo credit: VESTNIK KAVKAZA)

On the other hand, Azerbaijan both owns a strategic place for the implementation of TITR project and
it has made useful contributions to the project. These contributions include the construction of the Alat
port and investments in the regional railway BTK. The project that has established direct railways
between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey aims at achieving foreign direct investment by connecting
Europe and Asia. Ismayilov and Javakhishvili (2018: 10) highlight that

“Azerbaijan and Georgia’s involvement in the Chinese BRI project was encouraged by the already
functioning Silk Road Transport Corridor project. Also, the already operational Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
railway constitutes a new significant phase of this project’s development, since this road already
links not only Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, but also the totality of all the countries along the East-
West line. This railway, as an important component of the Iron Silk Road, is a logical fit with the BRI”.

By benefiting from the existing infrastructure from the Caspian to the West, TITR project enables
Chinese goods to travel from Western China through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, and Azerbaijan to
Turkey (1News, 2019). TITR is a sound choice for China too, as China will enjoy available infrastructure,
a financial partner like Azerbaijan as well as a reliable country from a political point of view. From a
commercial perspective, as the project will help China reduce cost and time related to transportation
of its goods as TITR is the shortest road to the west. Economic integration in the South Caucasus will
strengthen the soft power of China that will promote Chinese-led integration from the East to the West.
ITR project is an ideal option for China because of it the shortest railway route from China to Europe.
BTK, the Alat port, Baku Cargo terminal and other existing infrastructure facilities can benefit China and

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Azerbaijan in the short and long run. The recent developments between Azerbaijan and China show
that both countries are keen on further cooperation.

CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

The BRI benefits both China and Azerbaijan in the short and long run. Both countries are very keen on
further cooperation. The recent agreements signed between the state-owned companies of two
countries and increased trade turnover that reached $1.3 billion in 2019 have explicitly demonstrated
positive developments between two countries since Azerbaijan participated in the BRI initiative. From
a Chinese perspective, Azerbaijan is a geographic hub, strategic partner and the owner of the existing
transportation infrastructure (Alat port, BTK) from the Caspian Sea to the West. For the government of
Azerbaijan, cooperation with China within TITR project will not only enable it to become a logistical hub
between East and West but also involve technical support and additional foreign direct investments
from Chinese private and public companies. Successful cooperation can help Azerbaijan enjoy
transportation and transit fees, provide diversification of its economy and attract foreign capital.

Concerning recommendations, China has to reinforce its efforts to prioritize TITR project within the
framework of the BRI. First, TITR is a reliable route from a political point of view. Second, it is the
shortest railway road from China to Europe. Furthermore, the project does not require much financial
investment due to the already existing infrastructure Azerbaijan has created from the Caspian Basin to
the West. China should work more closely with the Azerbaijani government on this project. Prioritising
this BRI route will consolidate Chinese influence on the Caspian and benefit from the support of
Azerbaijan in terms of the development of transport corridors from the East to the West. Georgia and
Turkey, being Azerbaijan’s strategic partners have also expressed their support for China’s participation
in the TITR. In this regard, the biggest challenge (but a tremendous opportunity) for the Azerbaijani
government is to convince China to choose TITR project within the BRI framework. Furthermore,
Azerbaijan has to determine mechanisms to involve the BRI funding as well as Chinese private
investments that will equally benefit both parties.

Finally, China and Azerbaijan have to increase intergovernmental working groups to prepare a working
platform within the BRI framework. This platform should specify the needs and contributions of parties
and build on them. China’s strategic choice of TITR is of benefit to all parties. Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Turkey have been partners for the realization of many energy and transportation projects for the last
20 years. If the TITR route is chosen, China can perceive this cooperation as a secure reciprocal
investment in to the future.

References
1News (2019) “Azerbaijan’s Port on China’s Road”, available at www.1news.az/news/azerbaijan-s-port-
on-china-s-road, accessed on February 25, 2020.

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Azertac (2019) “Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to the Chinese Xinhua” available at
https://azertag.az/en/xeber/President_Ilham_Aliyev_was_interviewed_by_Chinese_Xinhua_agency-
1271220, accessed on February 25, 2020.

Caspian News (2019) “China’s Belt & Road Forum Attracts Azerbaijan, Plus $64 Billion In Deals”, available
at https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/chinas-belt-road-forum-attracts-azerbaijan-plus-64-billion-in-
deals-2019-4-30-30/, accessed on February 25, 2020.

Belt & Road News (2019) “Azerbaijan’s cooperation with China within BRI has great prospects”, available
at https://www.beltandroad.news/2019/10/09/azerbaijans-cooperation-with-china-within-bri-has-
great-prospects/, accessed on February 25, 2020.

China Daily (2019) “China, Azerbaijan to deepen cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative”, available at
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201907/23/WS5d369faba310d8305640086b.html, accessed on
February 25, 2020.

China Power Team, (2017) “How will the Belt and Road Initiative advance China’s interests?” China Power.
available at https://chinapower.csis.org/china-belt-and-road-initiative/, accessed on February 25, 2020.

Council on Foreign Relations (2020) "China's massive Belt and Road Initiative", available at
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/chinas-massive-belt-and-road-initiative, accessed on February 25,
2020.

Du, M., (2016) “China’s “One Belt, One Road” Initiative: Context, Focus, Institutions, and Implications”,
the Chinese Journal of Global Governance, 12, (1): 30-43.

Ismayilov, E. and Javakhishvili, I., (2018) “Caucasian Tandem and the Belt and Road Initiative”, Central Asia
and the Caucasus, 19, (2): 7-17.

Lianlei, B., (2016) “Azerbaijan in the Silk Road Economic Belt: A Chinese Perspective”, Caucasus
International, 6, (1): 27-39.

Lu, H., Rohr, C., Hafner, M., and Knack, A., (2018) “China Belt and Road Initiative: Measuring the impact
of improving transportation connectivity on trade in the region”, Rand Corporation.

Ona Online News Agency (2019) “Amerikalı diplomat: “Azərbaycan “Bir kəmər, bir yol” layihəsinin
döyünən ürəyidir”, available at https://ona.az/az/iqtisadiyyat/amerikali-diplomat-azerbaycan-bir-kemer-
bir-yol-layihesinin-doyunen-ureyidir-2904, accessed on February 25, 2020.

Prezident.az (2019a) “Ilham Aliyev attends 2nd "One Belt One Road" Forum in Beijing”, available at
https://en.president.az/articles/32878, accessed on February 25, 2020.

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Prezident.az (2019b) “Ilham Aliyev attended “Advancing the Belt and Road Initiative: China`s Trillion
Dollar Vision” session in Davos”, available https://en.president.az/articles/31598, accessed on February
25, 2020.

Prezident.az (2019c) “Ilham Aliyev met with Chairman of People's Republic of China Xi Jinping in Beijing”
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https://middlecorridor.com/en/route, accessed on March 7, 2020

Valiyev, A., (2019) “Azerbaijan through the Prism of BRI: China’s Mounting Interests and Influence in the
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Zeng, L., (2016) “Conceptual Analysis of China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Road towards a Regional
Community of Common Destiny”, Chinese Journal of International Law, 15, (3): 517–54.

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