Continuing China-Armenia Friendship

Armenian people have recently shown increasing interest in China and are paying close attention to China’s modernization and reforms. The traditional friendship of our two ancient civilizations will continue robustly in the new era.

The year 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Armenia. The two nations have conducted profound exchange in culture, academia, and other areas throughout history. Armenia is situated along the middle of the ancient Silk Road, which linked the Caucasian country with China some 2,000 years ago.

Over the past three decades, China and Armenia have seen a notable increase in friendly interaction and made remarkable achievements in bilateral cooperation on trade, economics, agriculture, culture, and other fields. In 2013, inspired by the ancient Silk Road, China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which kindles new momentum and creates new opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

Armenian Ambassador to China Sergey Manassarian, now 63, once served as Armenia’s ambassador to Egypt and vice foreign minister. Since May 2016, he has been the Armenian ambassador to China. A senior diplomat, Manassarian has visited many countries, but the unique culture and vast territory of China impressed him the most. Over the past seven years since he took office as Armenia’s ambassador to China, he has traveled to many provinces and cities across China. The experiences made him fall in love with the country’s landscapes, lifestyles, and folk customs while gaining insight into the diversity of Chinese culture.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of China-Armenia diplomatic ties, Ambassador Manassarian sat down for an exclusive interview with China Pictorial (CP) during which he expounded on the achievements in bilateral relations over the past three decades and shared his views on how to carry forward traditional friendship between China and Armenia in the new era.

CP: 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Armenia diplomatic ties. What do you think of current bilateral relations?

Manassarian: Thirty years ago, Armenia and China started diplomatic relations from scratch. Today, the two countries have realized remarkable achievements in cooperation on politics, economics, culture, and other fields. I would define the Armenia-China relationship as one of mutual trust. The two countries have signed a bilateral visa waiver agreement without any additional conditions, which perfectly embodies the high degree of mutual trust and mutual understanding between the two sides.

Armenia and China enjoy promising cooperation potential in various areas. The Confucius Institute established by China in Armenia provides a space for Armenian people to study Chinese language and culture and plays a crucial role in promoting Sinology research in Armenia. Today, Yerevan State University offers Chinese translation courses, which has lifted Chinese language studies to a new height in Armenia. Beijing Foreign Studies University in China has also launched research programs on Armenian language and culture. Many Chinese students from those programs can speak the Armenian language fluently and actively study Armenian culture, including folklores and dances. I sincerely hope that the two countries can make steady progress in cultural cooperation and communication.

CP: Across the seven years since you became Armenia’s ambassador to China, you have traveled to many places in China. What attracted and impressed you most in China?

Manassarian: Considering the vastness of China, it’s hard to choose a place as the most attractive. The boundless grasslands in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the vast, spectacular deserts in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the emerald-like lakes in southern China all stunned me.

Perhaps I can only be sure that I’m obsessed with the many towns preserving traditional lifestyles, sated with strong Chinese flavor. Of course, in addition to picturesque landscapes and tranquil neighborhoods, China’s economic prosperity and fine traditional values are also impressive.

CP: As we all know, China and Armenia enjoy a lasting friendship. Bilateral exchange can be traced back to the original Silk Road more than 2,000 years ago. Armenia has shown great interest in building the Belt and Road. Could you describe the highlights of China-Armenia cooperation under the framework of the BRI?

Manassarian: Armenia was the first Eastern European country to voice complete support for the BRI. We believe that the initiative can not only boost economic growth but also facilitate cooperation in other fields and kindle the common development of all mankind. It is a global solution conducive to both bilateral cooperation and regional cooperation.

Under the framework of the BRI, Armenia and China have carried out cooperation in fields like transportation, infrastructure, and energy, and Chinese enterprises are playing an active role in bilateral cooperation in those areas. For instance, the North-South Highway constructed by a Chinese company in Armenia has played an essential role in boosting Armenia’s economic development. The transport corridor runs through Iran and Black Sea ports and links Armenia with Türkiye as a key project of the BRI. 

From high-quality construction of highways to continuous expansion of infrastructure projects and deepening cooperation in the field of energy, the BRI has shown tremendous vitality and infinite potential.

CP: Amid severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and global changes, both of a scale unseen in a century, on September 21, 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the Global Development Initiative (GDI) at the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, calling for work to steer global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated, and inclusive growth. What do you think of the GDI?

Manassarian: In my view, the GDI is a wider and richer version of the BRI. The BRI is a cooperation initiative involving specific regions and directions, while the GDI is a solution for common development of the world.

Armenia will fully support the GDI just as we do to the BRI. Moreover, Armenia is actively practicing the GDI.

CP: This October, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will open in Beijing. What do you expect the congress to bring to China’s development and China-Armenia relations in the years to come?

Manassarian: We’ll soon witness the convening of the 20th CPC National Congress. The decisions and resolutions made at the congress will be vital to China’s development over the next five years. We’re expecting the outcomes of the congress, which will determine the direction of the country’s development in politics, economics, society, and other areas. I believe that the resolutions reached at the congress will become the strongest voices in this unusual era.

Relations with China are a top priority of Armenia’s diplomacy. Armenian people have recently shown increasing interest in China and are paying close attention to China’s modernization and reforms. The traditional friendship of our two ancient civilizations will continue robustly in the new era.