President Xi Jinping meets with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan

On the morning of August 31, 2025, President Xi Jinping met at the Tianjin Guest House with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The two leaders announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Armenia.

President Xi underscored that China and Armenia enjoy a time-honored friendship, which has grown ever stronger over time. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 33 years ago, the two countries have respected and trusted each other, and benefited and learned from each other, leading to the sustained, sound, and steady development of bilateral relations. The establishment of the strategic partnership is an important milestone in the history of China-Armenia relations. The two sides should carry forward their traditional friendship, lend each other firm support, deepen cooperation in various fields, and strive for continuous progress in bilateral relations from a new starting point.

President Xi stressed that the two sides should work together to pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, strengthen connectivity, and promote exchanges in such areas as education, science and technology, culture, and tourism, to deliver more benefits to the two peoples. China supports Armenia in joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and stands ready to work with Armenia to practice true multilateralism and build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Prime Minister Pashinyan noted that under the leadership of President Xi, China has made remarkable development achievements. Armenia hopes to learn from China’s experience to boost its own economic and social development. The establishment of the strategic partnership will elevate Armenia-China relations to a higher level and bring new opportunities and vitality to bilateral cooperation. Armenia is firmly committed to the one-China principle. It looks forward to expanding economic and trade cooperation with China, maintaining close coordination in international and regional affairs, and promoting greater development of bilateral relations.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Armenia on Establishing the Strategic Partnership, and signed multiple bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as market regulation, metrology, and media. 

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and Chen Min’er, among others, were present at the meeting.