Azerbaijan is eyeing China as a key tourism market, following President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit earlier this year and a new visa‑exemption agreement. A high‑level meeting on October 29 underscored the next phase in tourism cooperation between Azerbaijan and China.
Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Chinese Ambassador Lu Mei, affirming that China is now a priority tourist market for Azerbaijan following state visits and bilateral agreements earlier this year.
During his remarks, Naghiyev highlighted the April state visit of Ilham Aliyev to China, which opened new vistas in bilateral relations and set the stage for tourism expansion. In particular, he cited the mutual visa‑exemption agreement between the two countries as one of the most important steps toward fostering tourism flows. The agreement was formalised via a “Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” signed in Beijing, on April 23.
Ambassador Lu Mei affirmed that Azerbaijan’s rich natural, historical and cultural tourism assets are drawing growing interest from Chinese travellers. Meanwhile, statistics back up a rapid uptick in Chinese tourist arrivals: the number of Chinese visitors to Azerbaijan reportedly reached 44,798 in 2024, up from earlier years.
Furthermore, data for 2025 show continued strong momentum: in January–April 2025, arrivals from China climbed by around 70% year‑on‑year.
The visa‑exemption regime is already in effect: a one‑year unilateral visa‑free policy allowed Chinese tourists to visit Azerbaijan without visa from July 20, 2024 to July 20, 2025. Under it, citizens of China could enter up to three times and stay up to 30 days per visit.
In parallel, Azerbaijan’s tourism sector as a whole is on an upswing: the country received 2.627 million foreign and stateless visitors in 2024 — a 25.9% increase over the previous year.
A new artificial intelligence data centre in Armenia could be used for Western intelligence purposes, including against Russia, according to Russia...
Syria is carefully considering providing...
Scientists, astronauts and space industry leaders gathered in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday for the fourth day of the 77th International ...
Russia struck Ukraine overnight in one of the biggest attacks of the conflict, killing at least 19 people, Kyiv's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Around 70 missiles were fired at Ukraine during the attack, as well as drones, the Ministry said.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
An investigation into August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has no connection to Azerbaijan, informed sources have told AnewZ.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
Syria is carefully considering providing military assistance to key ally Saudi Arabia amid an escalating war against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, a U.S. official and a Syrian military official briefed on the matter said.
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution condemning Georgian Dream’s attempt to ban opposition parties and calling for targeted sanctions against senior Georgian officials.
Iran is reviewing a U.S. response to Tehran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying a reply could come within days.
Central Asian countries have agreed on water withdrawal limits and reservoir operating plans for the 2026-2027 non-growing season, with inflows into Kazakhstan’s Shardara Reservoir -- a crucial water source for agriculture --expected to reach around 10 billion cubic metres.
Tajikistan has begun the process of leaving the International Criminal Court, citing what it calls growing politicisation and bias in the court’s work.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment