Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze praised Georgia’s strategic partnership with China as “exemplary” while discussing ties between the two countries a day after Tbilisi and Beijing elevated relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
In a June 10 briefing, Kobakhidze said relations between China and Georgia have developed “very dynamically” over the past years since the signing of the strategic partnership document in 2023. He cited, among others, high-level visits, trade turnover, the visa-free regime, direct flights, and educational cooperation, noting that thirteen “significant” agreements have been signed since 2023, while six more are “in the final stage of discussion.”
“It is entirely clear that this is not a strategic partnership on paper, but one that is reflected in concrete benefits for both countries. This is exactly what an exemplary strategic partnership between the two countries should look like – one based on mutual respect, fairness, and dignity, and focused on mutual benefit,” Kobakhidze said, adding, “What is particularly noteworthy is that the Chinese authorities treat our country as an equal, which, against the backdrop of existing flaws in global politics, is particularly striking and worthy of appreciation.”
He added that Georgia attaches “special importance” to “further deepening cooperation” with China, which he called the “only peaceful superpower” in the world over the past 50 years. “We also take this opportunity to thank the Chinese authorities for their unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
“The signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement will lay the foundation for a new stage in the deepening of Georgia-China relations, which will bring significant political and economic benefits to our country,” he added.
Kobakhidze’s remarks and the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Georgia come amid Tbilisi’s deteriorating relations with traditional Western partners, including the U.S. and the EU. Washington under President Joe Biden suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia in November 2024 and sanctioned the ruling party’s billionaire founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili, a month later. The Donald Trump administration has yet to reverse those decisions, as Tbilisi states it seeks to reset ties “from a clean slate.”
The U.S. House of Representatives on June 8 passed a bipartisan bill that, if adopted, would require a report on Russian and Chinese influence and intelligence assets in Georgia, as well as a five-year strategy for bilateral relations with Georgia.
Asked to comment on the bill on June 9, Kobakhidze slammed Rep. Joe Wilson, a vocal critic of Georgian Dream who sponsored the measure, as “a completely unserious person.” Kobakhidze argued that Wilson’s criticism of China contradicts President Trump’s efforts to deepen political and economic ties with Beijing, noting that Trump refers to Xi Jinping as a “friend.” “Against this background, when someone like Joe Wilson comes out and talks about China having a negative influence in the South Caucasus region, it is completely unserious and does not deserve any special comment,” he said.
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