Reductions in trade with Europe through Russia and Ukraine due to the war between them has boosted Chinese interest in the South Caucasus as it looks more to the Middle Corridor, an increasingly important part of its Belt and Road Initiative. And while relations between China and Georgia and Azerbaijan have reached new heights, Armenia–China relations still have room for growth. How can we understand China’s interest in the South Caucasus? How might Chinese engagement in the region contribute to regional stability?

• Xu Wenhong, Deputy Secretary-General of the Center for One Belt One Road, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Zoom)
• Moderator: Benyamin Poghosyan, Senior Research Fellow, APRI Armenia