Chinese Ambassador highlights Georgia’s favourable geographical location as vital hub of Middle Corridor

Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, on Saturday said that Georgia’s favourable geographical position has made it an important hub of the Middle Corridor, emphasising that political stability and strong diplomatic relations among countries along the route enhance its reliability amid a complex geopolitical environment.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Zhou discussed the growing role of the Middle Corridor in global supply chains and Georgia’s contribution to its development.

“Georgia’s favourable geographical location makes it an important hub of the Middle Corridor. Against the backdrop of today’s complex and unstable geopolitical environment, the countries along the Middle Corridor enjoy political stability and positive diplomatic relations, which enhance its reliability”, he said.

The Ambassador pointed out that the Middle Corridor offers unique advantages and was playing an increasingly important role in international logistics.

“The Middle Corridor has unique advantages, and its role in the global supply chain is growing every day. Of course, compared to the northern route of the China-Europe Railway Express, the Middle Corridor still lags behind in terms of costs, transit time, railway infrastructure, road networks, ports, cargo transportation, and customs clearance facilitation”, Zhou noted.

“However, in recent years, the countries along the route, including Georgia, have attached great importance to the Middle Corridor. They are actively developing transport infrastructure such as highways, railways, ports, and airports, while also promoting the alignment of the Middle Corridor concept with the Belt and Road Initiative”, he continued.

He further noted that Georgia viewed itself as a Eurasian logistics hub and was working on long-term goals such as infrastructure upgrades, attracting joint investments under the Belt and Road Initiative, and harmonising and digitalising regulations to improve efficiency.

“As Georgia sees itself as a Eurasian logistics hub, upgrading its railway, road, and other infrastructure, improving transportation capacity, strengthening cooperation with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to attract joint investment, and harmonising and digitalising regulations will remain long-term objectives”, Zhou concluded.