That said, Beijing is clearly reluctant to become involved in the conflict resolution process in the South Caucasus. The South Caucasus has become of great interest to China as part of its ambitious Silk Road project, which will connect Europe with east Asia, particularly once the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is completed. Azerbaijan, in particular, is counting on China as a trading partner of increasing importance, with turnover between the nations having grown 800-fold within 22 years of diplomatic relations. But while Azerbaijan and Georgia have been able to forge closer ties than many other countries over recent years, relations are still not at their best.
The South Caucasus has become of great interest to China as part of its ambitious Silk Road project, which will connect Europe with east Asia, particularly once the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is completed. Azerbaijan, in particular, is counting on China as a trading partner of increasing importance, with turnover between the nations having grown 800-fold within 22 years of diplomatic relations. But while Azerbaijan and Georgia have been able to forge closer ties than many other countries over recent years, relations are still not at their best.