Shen Shiwei, founder of the China Briefing newsletter and a Beijing-based political and economic analyst, said Armenia could become an important land hub connecting Asia and Europe.

In an interview with Armenpress, Shiwei discussed prospects for the development of Armenian-Chinese relations, opportunities for economic cooperation, and Armenia’s potential role in regional transport and logistics projects.

He noted that the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries in 2025 had raised bilateral relations to a new level and created a solid foundation for expanding trade, investment and economic cooperation.

The interview with Shiwei is presented below.

-How do you assess the current state of China–Armenia relations, particularly in trade, investment, and economic cooperation?

– China-Armenia relations have reached a historic new high, marked by the two countries’ unanimous decision to establish a strategic partnership in 2025. This pivotal milestone elevates bilateral relations to a new level and provides clear strategic guidance for deeper cooperation in trade, investment and economic sectors, laying a solid political foundation for steady and long‑term practical cooperation.

-Which sectors of Armenia’s economy do you believe have the greatest potential for cooperation with Chinese companies and investors?

– Armenia has great potential to attract Chinese agricultural technology enterprises for investment and business development, which will help advance Armenia’s agricultural modernization. Priority also includes infrastructure, transport and logistics to ease connectivity bottlenecks, as well as renewable energy and agricultural processing.

-How do you evaluate Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative aimed at improving regional connectivity? Do you see potential areas of cooperation with China?

-The “Crossroads of Peace” is a constructive initiative that aligns with China’s vision of regional connectivity. China supports this initiative and sees great potential for cooperation, especially in transport infrastructure, cross‑border logistics and customs facilitation. This can help link Armenia’s geographic location with the Belt and Road Initiative to promote better Eurasian connectivity.

-Do you see opportunities for Armenia to play a role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in regional transport and logistics networks?

-Absolutely. As an early supporter of the BRI, Armenia can benefit significantly from better connectivity. With Chinese participation in infrastructure projects such as the North‑South Highway, Armenia can become a key land bridge node, helping to optimize multimodal transport links between Asia and Europe.

-In the context of the Middle Corridor connecting Asia and Europe, could Armenia become a reliable transit partner?

– Yes. With improved transport infrastructure and a stable policy environment, Armenia can serve as a reliable transit partner. It can help diversify routes of the Middle Corridor and enhance the overall resilience of Eurasian logistics.

– What factors could encourage more Chinese investment in Armenia in the coming years?

– Key factors include further improving the investment climate, streamlining administrative and customs procedures, strengthening policy coordination between the BRI and Armenia’s development strategies, and enhancing connectivity to lower cross‑border trade costs. Better access to neighboring and regional markets would also attract more Chinese investors.

-Do you think Armenia has the potential to become an attractive destination for Chinese tourists? What steps could help promote tourism between the two countries?

– Yes. Armenia’s historical heritage, natural scenery and unique culture have strong appeal for Chinese tourists. The mutual visa‑exemption arrangement and direct flights between the two countries have laid a solid foundation. To further promote bilateral tourism, Armenia should integrate its own tourism resources with those of neighboring countries that also offer visa exemptions to Chinese citizens, create distinctive brands and form a better tourism product cluster. In addition, further promotion on Chinese travel platforms and improved tourist services will also help boost bilateral tourism.

– How can Armenia attract more Chinese companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises?

– Armenia can attract more Chinese SMEs by providing simplified registration, clear investment policies and targeted support in logistics and market access. Hosting business matchmaking events and sharing successful cooperation cases will also help build confidence among Chinese enterprises.

-How do you see Armenia’s role in regional economic integration between Europe and Asia?

– Armenia can act as an important link in Eurasian economic integration. By improving transport and logistics connectivity, it can better facilitate the flow of goods, capital and personnel between Europe and Asia, supporting closer regional economic cooperation.

-What areas of cooperation between China and Armenia do you believe will grow the most in the coming years?

-Infrastructure, logistics and connectivity will remain key growth areas, as they directly address Armenia’s development bottlenecks. Tourism, cultural exchanges and agricultural cooperation will also expand steadily.

– China is one of the world’s largest economies. How important is the South Caucasus region, including Armenia, for China’s long-term economic strategy?

– The South Caucasus region, including Armenia, is strategically important in China’s long‑term economic and connectivity strategy. Armenia is a landlocked country in the South Caucasus, and its external geopolitical and economic environment poses considerable challenges to its development. High transport costs remain a major constraint on Armenia’s foreign trade, including trade with China. The Belt and Road Initiative provides important opportunities for Armenia’s economic development. It can help bring Armenia closer to the two major markets and production bases of China and the EU, reduce international trade costs, and support Armenia’s integration into global economic circulation as an open and diversified partner. Pursuing diversified international economic cooperation and regional economic integration will contribute to the sound development of Armenia’s economy.

– Do you see potential for cooperation between China and Armenia in high-technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, or innovation?

– The potential for cooperation between China and Armenia in high-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, or innovation should focus on educational cooperation. Armenia should seize the strategic opportunity of China prioritizing the development of future industries in its 15th Five-Year Plan, formulate relevant supporting policies, and increase the number of students sent to China to learn scientific and technological innovation through frontline practice. This kind of educational and practical cooperation will lay a solid talent foundation for the long-term development of high-tech cooperation between the two countries.

– What role can educational and cultural exchanges play in strengthening China–Armenia relations?

-Educational and cultural exchanges are the foundation of mutual trust and friendship between China and Armenia, playing an irreplaceable role in strengthening bilateral relations. China is developing rapidly with constant progress in various fields, and as far as I know, the number of Chinese citizens currently in Armenia is still relatively small, which means there is enormous potential for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries in the future. At present, China is actively developing future industries, and in-depth educational and cultural exchanges will help Armenian people better understand China’s development, grasp the opportunities brought by China’s future industrial development, and further lay a solid social foundation for the long-term, healthy and stable development of China-Armenia relations.

– Are there any major infrastructure or logistics projects in Armenia that could be of interest to Chinese companies?

-To attract Chinese companies to its major infrastructure and logistics projects, Armenia should first strengthen its publicity efforts in China. Currently, Chinese investors are not very familiar with Armenia; most of their information about Armenia comes from mainstream international media, which do not provide much help in attracting foreign investment.

-What message would you like to send to the Armenian people and the Armenian business community about future cooperation with China?

– China will continue to leverage its advantage of a super-large-scale open market in the next five years, which presents a valuable opportunity for Armenia. We welcome more Armenian friends to visit China for inspection and tourism, to experience China’s modern development in person, and to have close exchanges with Chinese partners. You are welcome to actively participate in high-level international exhibitions in China such as the CIIE, CIFTIS, Canton Fair and CICPE, to showcase Armenia’s advantageous sectors and quality products to the Chinese people, and explore cooperation opportunities. We welcome Armenia to actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and foster new growth areas of cooperation in aerospace, high technology, digital economy, agriculture, tourism and other fields. We look forward to Armenian high-quality agricultural products, tourism products and industrial goods seizing this opportunity, deepening cooperation with Chinese partners, and entering the vast Chinese market. China will always be a reliable and sincere partner committed to win-win cooperation.

Karen Khachatryan