This is the first time in the past 20 years that a delegation led by the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament has visited China. This clearly demonstrates the great importance we attach to the relations between our two countries, which were elevated to a strategic partnership two years ago. Speaker of the Georgian Parliament said in China, at the meeting with Zhao Yide, the Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress.

"Today, a visa-free regime and a free trade agreement are in effect between our two countries, and these have already yielded tangible economic results. Approximately 95% of traded goods are exempt from duties and fall within the scope of the free trade agreement. The visa-free regime has also led to an increase in the number of tourists travelling between Georgia and China, both from Georgia to China and from China to Georgia. This boost in tourism ultimately fosters closer people-to-people relations and promotes cultural exchange.

As you noted, Shaanxi and Xi`an are the starting point of the Silk Road, and this holds particular significance for Georgia as well. Historically, Georgia was part of the Silk Road, and today it forms part of the Trans-Caspian route, the so-called Middle Corridor. This route has played a significant role in both our economic and cultural development.

Georgia has benefited from the Silk Road both economically and culturally. It is precisely for this reason that we attach such particular importance to cooperation between our countries, to our strategic partnership, and to elevating that partnership to an ever higher level.

From an economic development perspective, China serves as one of the most inspiring examples for Georgia. Over the past 5 years, Georgia’s economy has grown at an average rate of around 9%. This robust growth has enabled the economy to nearly triple in size over the past decade. Unemployment, which stood at 30% ten years ago, has fallen to 9% this year, and our goal is to bring it down to 3 – 4% by 2028. Over the same period, GDP per capita has risen from approximately USD 4,500–5,000 in 2020 to over USD 10,000 this year. This shows that we are following a path of rapid development, drawing on the example set by China", - said Shalva Papuashvili.