The South Caucasus has become of great interest to China as part of its ambitious Silk Road project , which will link 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 ten years of diplomatic relations . China 's increased investment and economic activities in energy and transit corridors will in the long term greatly increase the global competitiveness of the region , however , China remains reluctant to involve itself in regional conflicts .
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. China's increased investment and economic activities in energy and transit corridors will in the long term greatly increase the global competitiveness of the region, however, China remains reluctant to involve itself in regional conflicts.