China's ambassador says Beijing is ready to expand AI cooperation with Azerbaijan
Chinese ambassador Lu Mei said at a Baku briefing on 6 November 2026 that China is ready to expand artificial intelligence cooperation with Azerbaijan, citing Baku's AI Strategy for 2025–2028, according to Trend.Az.
China is ready to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan in artificial intelligence, including exchanging experience, developing international initiatives and joint work on digital transformation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Azerbaijan Lu Mei said at a briefing in Baku on 6 November 2026, according to Trend.Az.
What the ambassador said
- China and Azerbaijan, "being states of the Global South, hold close positions on issues of global governance, including international cooperation in the field of AI," Lu said, Trend.Az reported.
- Azerbaijan "supports Chinese initiatives" and "participates in the activities of the Group of Friends of International Cooperation to build capacity in the field of AI," with Azerbaijani representatives having "repeatedly visited China" for seminars and exchanges, according to Trend.Az.
- Beijing "is ready to facilitate Baku's participation" in cooperation programmes proposed at the 2026 World Conference on Artificial Intelligence, the ambassador said, per Trend.Az.
- Lu cited Azerbaijan's AI Strategy for 2025–2028 and its Digital Economy Development Strategy for 2026–2029, both approved by President Ilham Aliyev, as evidence Baku "pays significant attention to the digital transformation" of its economy, Trend.Az reported.
- The briefing, organised by the Chinese Embassy, "is taking place against the background of strengthening the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China," Trend.Az reported.
Why it matters
The remarks are a diplomatic statement of intent, not a signed agreement, funding figure or project timeline, but they add China to the list of powers — alongside the EU, the United States and Gulf investors — publicly courting Azerbaijan's young AI policy framework. Regionally, the comments fit a pattern of larger powers leading with AI-governance language, rather than infrastructure financing, as their opening move in the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
What it means for Azerbaijani companies
Azerbaijan's Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2025–2028, which the ambassador referenced directly, already lists international cooperation as a stated pillar; her remarks point to an existing channel — the China-led Group of Friends of International Cooperation on AI — rather than a new one. Trend.Az reported no funding figure, memorandum or named Azerbaijani institution tied to the pledge, so local AI developers and public bodies have no new programme to apply to yet. The practical signal is that Azerbaijani participation in Chinese-organised AI seminars and at the 2026 World Conference on Artificial Intelligence now carries an explicit invitation from Beijing.
