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March 28
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By Anna Ghazaryan

YEREVAN. -- Armenian News-NEWS.am presents interview with China’s Ambassador to Armenia, His Excellency Tian Erlong.

During the recent visit of Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan to China the parties expressed interest in development of political dialogue. How do you see the perspectives for deepening of relations between the states?             

In March President Serzh Sargsyan paid a visit to China. During this historical visit, the two leaders held a wide exchange of views on Chinese-Armenian relations and signed a joint declaration on further development and deepening of friendly relations and cooperation. The declaration states the parties will continue to develop existing relationship based on mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, will consistently pursue a policy of expansion of bilateral cooperation in political, trade and economic, humanitarian and other areas in order to continuously strengthen and develop the Chinese-Armenian friendly cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two states. It is a kind of “a road map” to further strengthen Chinese-Armenian cooperation. So I am optimistic about the prospects for the further strengthening of cooperation between our countries and I believe that there is objective necessity and a real opportunity.

What interests in China pursuing in the South Caucasus? Which are the areas interesting for China to develop cooperation with the regional countries?

China does not claim a special role and does not pursue any special interests in the South Caucasus. China is interested in finding good and equal partners, interested in the development of relations of friendship, cooperation and mutual benefit with all regional states. China will continue to enhance political trust, will enhance economic and trade cooperation and deepen cultural and educational ties with the countries of the South Caucasus.

The Armenian businessmen are not that active while working in the Chinese market. One of the obstacles they name are difficulties with tax and customs legislation in China that differs much from the European one. Where can Armenian businessmen get necessary legal assistance?

For more than 30 years of the policy of reforms and openness, the Chinese tax and customs legislation is improving, the confidence of foreign businessmen with respect to the attractiveness of the Chinese market is strengthening. In 2014, China has attracted about $120 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI), and on this indicator has surpassed all leading world countries.  The Chinese market is open for business all over the world. The office of the adviser on trade and economic cooperation at the Chinese Embassy maintains close relations with government authorities and businessmen of Armenia, providing assistance in establishing contacts and development of the Chinese market. The Office is responsible for telephone and written requests of the Armenian businessmen and provides consultations. The Armenian businessmen can also refer to the websites of Chinese trade associations that contain useful information.

China is one of the largest investors in Iran’s infrastructure, including the railways. Are Chinese companies interested in investing into Iran-Armenia railway?

Chinese government is carrying out the strategy of “entering international markets” and encourages local companies to take active participation in construction of the infrastructure and production. According to our information, interested Chinese enterprises pay attention to the project of construction of Armenia-Iran railway and consider the possibility to take part in it. I would like to note that in late March, the Chinese government published "Great prospects and practical action on joint creation of the Silk Road Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century." The implementation of the above strategy helps in increasing the level of integration in Asia and Europe and will serve as sustainable economic development of countries adjacent to this route. As it is known, the ancient Silk Road passed through the territory of Armenia. The Chinese side is ready to consider a specific form and content of cooperation in the framework of the concept of building Silk Road Economic Belt.

Several years ago, a project to develop iron deposits in Armenia by Fortune Resources, a company with Chinese capital, was announced. Is implementation of this project possible, and at what stage it is now?

As far as I know, this cooperation project is reviewed and gradually progressing, according to a shaped plan. The Chinese government supports Chinese enterprises in terms of development of investment cooperation and industrial cooperation in Armenia on the basis of mutual benefit and in accordance with market principles, especially in such priority areas as transport, energy, telecommunications, agriculture and infrastructure.

The Armenian side welcomed China’s initiative to revive the Silk Road. Humanitarian ties play an important role for the development of economic contacts. Does the embassy have programs promoting Chinese culture, development of contacts between the two nations?

Humanitarian contacts to a large extent determine the social basis of the relations between our countries. We have already undertaken many efforts in this directions. Promotion of humanitarian relations is a priority of the Chinese Embassy in Armenia. We will continue to take efforts to increase cultural exchanges and cooperation in the future. The first is the development of cultural cooperation. China will hold days of the Armenian culture this June. The second point is cooperation in the field of education. On the initiative of President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, a school having Chinese language classes will open in Yerevan. The work on the design of school has already started in April. Confucius Institute and centers of Chinese language and culture are successfully functioning in Armenia. We will work to ensure that the number of learners of the Chinese language is growing. I believe that the scope of the exchange of students between the two countries will be increased. Development of tourism and having more contacts between the representatives of our nations is very important. Chinese Embassy in Armenia is ready to work with the appropriate agencies in Armenia to multiply the mutual trips of citizens of both countries.

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