On November 29, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan received a delegation led by vice president Yang Jianqiang of the CITIC Construction company from China. Chinese Ambassador Tian Erlong was also present at the meeting.

The sides discussed the possibility of constructing a new copper smelter in Armenia using modern technologies and related issues. In this connection, Avinyan stressed the importance of upholding the highest environmental standards and transitioning from mineral export to metallurgy.

Yang inquired about other opportunities to invest in Armenia, about which the Chinese side would be provided with comprehensive information.

The parties agreed to continue negotiations on the aforesaid copper smelter and to move on to more substantive discussions.