Within the framework of the international tourism exhibition “CITM 2025” (China International Travel Mart), a delegation led by Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, paid a working visit to the People's Republic of China.

Directions for the development of tourism relations between Azerbaijan and China were discussed in Beijing at a meeting between Fuad Naghiyev and Sun Yeli, Minister of Ministry of Culture and Tourism on 17 December.

The parties noted that the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries through the efforts of President Ilham Aliyev and President Xi Jinping has contributed to the advancement of tourism relations alongside other areas of cooperation.

Fuad Naghiyev highlighted the dynamic growth of tourism ties in recent years and emphasized the positive impact of the mutual visa exemption on tourist flows. He stated that large-scale marketing and promotional campaigns to raise awareness of Azerbaijan’s tourism potential in China will continue and noted plans to open an Azerbaijan tourism representation office in China as a new stage in bilateral tourism cooperation.

He also briefed the participants on the “China Ready” programme designed to enhance the preparedness of the local tourism industry to welcome Chinese visitors and noted that the “China Visitors Summit” held in Baku last month was an important step toward deepening cooperation between tourism stakeholders of the two countries.

Sun Yeli underlined the strengthening of economic and political relations between Azerbaijan and China in recent years and their positive impact on tourism. He emphasized the importance of promoting Azerbaijan’s tourism opportunities in the Chinese market to encourage travel by Chinese tourists and highlighted the value of joint efforts and expanded bilateral engagement between tourism industry representatives. He also noted that over the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Azerbaijan-China ties have developed into a mutually beneficial partnership and that Azerbaijan’s tourism market is of interest to Chinese travelers.

The meeting was attended by Bunyad Huseynov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to China, as part of the Azerbaijani delegation.

At the “CITM 2025” exhibition in Haikou, Azerbaijan was represented at the national stand by the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, Azerbaijan Airlines, Shahdag Tourism Center, and other local partners. The Azerbaijan national stand was awarded in the “Best Stand” nomination.

Fuad Naghiyev attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition held in Haikou. He also met with Gao Zheng, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, and Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, who visited the Azerbaijan stand during the exhibition.