Azerbaijani Minister of Defense, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev was on a working visit to China Oct. 25 to 29.

On the first day of his visit, the Azeri Minister of Defense met with General Chen Bingde, Chief of General Staff Department, People’s Liberation Army of China. The sides discussed bilateral politico-military relations and exchanged views on cooperation in military education.

Minister Abiev presented his view of the causes of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He thanked China for recognizing Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, pointing out Azerbaijan’s support of China in the Taiwan problem.  

The Azeri Minister of Defense also held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, General Liang Guanglie, who invited Safar Abiyev. The Azeri defense minister stated Azerbaijan is interested in bilateral cooperation. “Azerbaijan is constantly struggling against terrorist, separatist and extremist activities, and supports cooperation with all the states,” he said.

“Azerbaijan’s territory was occupied, but our lands will be liberated. If the peace talks fail to produce results, Azerbaijan will use all the means, including its army, to restore its territorial integrity. Serious preparations are under way in our Armed Forces,” he said.

Minister Abiyev also held a meeting with General Xu Caihou, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission. The Azeri defense minister thanked China for its assistance to Azerbaijan in military education.

Interestingly, all the Chinese officials stated their “support of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity” during the Azeri defense minister’s visit.