China–Azerbaijan Trade Relations and Treaty Developments 

 

China and Azerbaijan have strengthened their trade relations in parallel with the development of a strategic political partnership. According to the information published by the Ceenter for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, between 2018 and 2023, China rose from being Azerbaijan’s sixth-largest trading partner to fourth place. In 2024, trade turnover between the two countries increased by 20.7% compared to the previous year, amounting to $3.744 billion. China now accounts for 7.9% of Azerbaijan’s total foreign trade and has become the leading source of imports, representing 17.69% of the total.

 

As per the official data, currently, approximately 375 companies with Chinese capital are registered in Azerbaijan, of which 298 are actively operating.

 

On 23 April 2025, the two countries signed the Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China. Among other matters, the parties expressed their readiness to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement aimed at promoting mutual investment.
 

In addition, a recent treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters was ratified by the Azerbaijani Parliament and officially promulgated on 7 July 2025.