Monday, December 17 2018 13:31

ArmInfo.From December 13-16, 2018, leading scholars of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences visited Yerevan at the special invitation of the "Council of  Political and Strategic Studies of China and Eurasia"Foundation. 

During the visit, an academic seminar "China, Eurasia and Armenia: A  View from Yerevan and Beijing " was organized.  Political Science  Doctors Xiao Bin, Bao Yi, and Wu Hunnwei, from the Chinese Academy of  Social Sciences, presented their research. They noted that the  Armenian-Chinese relations need serious study. It was noted that the  "One Belt, One Road" initiative provides many opportunities for the  development of economic relations, but Chinese investments in Armenia  are still very small, even if compared with other countries of the  South Caucasus.

Professor Wu Hunnwei stressed that the Chinese-Georgian relations are  developing dynamically, and the Chinese side is making huge  investments there. He expressed hope that thanks to the information  received during the visit, contacts with Armenian specialists will be  developed, so that it will be possible to develop economic relations  with Armenia. Dr. Bao Yi spoke about the humanitarian cooperation of  China with the countries of Central Asia and noted that this  successful experience can also be used in the South Caucasus.  Dr.  Xiao Bin talked about China's investment policy and how other  countries can get Chinese investment.

Head of ARMACAD, Doctor Khachik Gevorgyan presented ARMACAD, speaking  about the opportunities and digital tools provided by the  organizations with which the Armenian and Chinese scientists can  develop cooperation in the field of science.  The initiator of the  scientific discussion, the head of the "China-Eurasia" Council for  Political and Strategic Research Foundation, Mher Sahakyan, spoke  about the prospects for the development of Armenian- Chinese  relations in the framework of the initiative of China "One belt, One  Road". He noted that it is possible to deepen relations with the  Chinese side in the economic and financial sectors, for which it is  necessary to ensure the conversion of the currencies of the two  countries, negotiations may be launched on the establishment of a  joint Armenian-Chinese bank in Armenia or any branch of a leading  Chinese bank.  He noted that Armenia will be able to connect its  transport infrastructures with the transport corridors of "One Belt,  One Road" only if the North-South road corridor is built, for which  funds of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank could be attracted.  To do this, of course, Armenia must also become a full- fledged  regional member of the bank. He also noted that Armenia and China are  interested in participating in UN peacekeeping missions, which also  makes it possible to cooperate in this field. Mher Sahakyan also  spoke about the possibility of creating an Armenian-Chinese joint  military-industrial center in Armenia, in which it will be possible  to produce robotics, autonomous weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles and  so on.  He also noted that it is advisable to make a proposal to the  Chinese Cyberspace Office on Armenia's participation in the  implementation of the Digital Silk Road and the Silk Road in  Cyberspace initiatives, as well as a proposal to find common ground  in cooperation between the "Internet Plus" of China and digital  transformation strategy of Armenia.  It is also advisable that  Armenia and China adopt a joint declaration on the development of the  5G mobile network, according to which both parties would promote  research in this area.  The parties agreed to strengthen cooperation  between the Armenian Foundation " China-Eurasia " Council of  Political and Strategic Research and the Chinese Academy of Social  Sciences, to conduct joint research and make proposals for the  development of Armenian-Chinese relations.