On July 24th, Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, who was visiting Azerbaijan, travelled to the New Port of Baku and  investigated the port's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative accompanied by Shahin Mustafayev, Azerbaijani Minister of Economy.

The New Port of Baku is located in Alat, 70 kilometers away from the capital Baku, with a planned area of more than 3,000 hectares and an annual cargo throughput of 25 million tons.

Song said that China and Azerbaijan have developed a bond because of the ancient Silk Road, and the Belt and Road Initiative has brought the two countries closer together. Baku has an advantageous geographical location and has been an important transportation hub in history. It is hoped that New Port of Baku will take the opportunity of the Belt and Road Initiative to give full play to its geographical advantages, enhance its regional radiating effort and play an important role in the better and faster development of Azerbaijan's economy.

The Azerbaijani side noted that it is committed to building the port into the largest modern port in the Caspian sea, the largest transportation hub, logistics center and product processing base in the Caucasus region, and actively participates in the Belt and Road Initiative. Azerbaijan will strive to create a sound business environment and attract Chinese enterprises to invest and start business.

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