Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the strategic partnership between Georgia and China is not a partnership on paper, but a genuine, equal interaction. His briefing was timed to coincide with the signing of an agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Georgia and the PRC.
The head of the Georgian government outlined all the milestones of the “exemplary partnership” between Tbilisi and Beijing over three years—since the signing of the strategic partnership agreement between the countries in 2023—citing specific figures.
“In total, since 2023, 14 major international agreements have been signed between Georgia and China, and another 6 are under final consideration. In 2024, trade turnover between Georgia and China grew by 17%, in 2025 by 21%, and in January–April 2026 by 45%. Today, China ranks 3rd among Georgia’s trade partners in terms of total trade volume and 2nd in terms of exports of Georgian products,” he noted.
Kobakhidze reported that in January–April 2026, exports to China tripled compared to the same period last year, and in November 2025, an agreement was signed to expand the free trade zone between Georgia and China.
“Last year, Georgia was invited as a guest of honor to the China International Import Expo. At the end of 2023, Georgia and China exchanged international road transport permits for the first time, which contributed to the development of road connections between the countries. In 2024, the governments of Georgia and China signed a memorandum on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route for the China-Europe Railway Express. As a result of these and other steps, in 2025, the volume of container transportations between China and Europe via the Middle Corridor reached a historic high,” the Prime Minister pointed out.
The head of the Georgian government stated that after the signing of the strategic partnership agreement in 2023–2024, a visa-free regime was introduced for citizens of Georgia and China, which boosted the expansion of direct flights and led to a significant increase in passenger traffic between the countries.
“In 2024, the number of Chinese tourists in Georgia grew by 83%, in 2025 by 44%, and in the first quarter of this year by 49%. Today, three Chinese airlines are already operating in the Georgian market. Last year, Air China added the Beijing–Urumqi–Tbilisi route, China Southern is launching a similar flight from July, and from July 15, China Eastern will start direct Shanghai–Tbilisi flights.
Also this year, ITB China in Shanghai, one of Asia’s largest travel trade shows, opened with Georgia’s national pavilion, which testifies to the special attention the Chinese side pays to Georgia. Cooperation between the ministries of education of Georgia and China has also deepened significantly,” the politician noted.
Irakli Kobakhidze announced that in the near future, the sides will sign a memorandum to support cooperation and exchange programs between universities and colleges of Georgia and the PRC, implement joint youth programs, expand Chinese language studies in Georgia, and other areas.
“This is only an incomplete list of the results that the signing of the strategic partnership agreement with China has brought to our country. It is completely obvious that this is not a partnership only on paper, but a relationship that brings concrete benefits to both sides. This is exactly what an exemplary strategic partnership between countries should be, based on mutual respect, justice, and dignity, and oriented toward mutual benefit,” the head of government declared.
The Prime Minister emphasized that despite the PRC being a superpower of immense scale, Beijing has built cooperation with Georgia in the shortest possible time and with “maximum efficiency.”
“It is particularly important that the Chinese side treats our country as an equal, which, against the backdrop of the shortcomings of global politics, is especially noticeable and valuable. We emphasize that Georgia attaches special importance to further deepening cooperation with the People’s Republic of China, which, based on 50 years of experience, is the only peaceful superpower in the world.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chinese side for its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
The signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement will lay the foundation for a new stage in deepening Georgian-Chinese relations, which will bring significant political and economic benefits to our country,” Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized.