On November 28, 2025, an international conference titled "China–Armenia Strategic Partnership: Connotations and Prospects" was held at Yerevan State University. The event was jointly organized by YSU, the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA).
The primary aim of the conference was to present the new phase of the strategic partnership between the two countries, regional developments, and the prospects for expanding cooperation. Among the participants were also researchers from the Institute of Armenian Studies, Nelli Minasyan and Paylak Yengoyan (Department of Armenia–China and Armenia–India Relations and Strategic Studies), as well as Sargis Grigoryan (Department of Armenian–Kurdish Relations), who delivered thematic reports.
YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan opened his remarks by noting that the cooperative ties between Armenia and China have centuries-old roots, extending from the ancient Silk Road to the present-day Belt and Road Initiative. He noted that Armenia's current policies are fully aligned with the principles of this initiative. He emphasized the importance of further intensifying the cooperation, particularly in the context of evolving regional transport infrastructures. The rector also highlighted that China's growing interest in the North–South Road Corridor may turn Armenia into an important transit corridor connecting East and West.
Hovhannes Hovhannisyan stressed the role of the younger generation in deepening Armenia–China relations, calling on students to confidently choose the Chinese language, take advantage of educational programs, and, upon returning to Armenia, contribute to the development and deepening of bilateral relations. He also referred to the active work of the YSU Center for Chinese Language and Chinese Culture, noting that its activities contribute to strengthening linguistic, cultural, and academic ties.
Jin Zhe, the Deputy Director of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in turn, highly praised Armenia's ancient civilizational heritage, cultural uniqueness, and the economic and technological development achieved since independence. She noted that Armenia was among the first countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative, and the recently signed statement on establishing a strategic partnership lays the groundwork for a new, more advanced stage of cooperation. She also noted that Armenian–Chinese trade and economic relations have seen significant growth in recent years.
Nelli Minasyan, Coordinator of the Department of Armenia–China and Armenia–India Relations and Strategic Studies, delivered a report titled "Analyzing China and Turkey Soft Power Instruments in Central Asia". Paylak Yengoyan, a junior researcher from the same department, presented a report titled "The Strengthening of China's Position in Global Geopolitical and Geo-economic Processes". Sargis Grigoryan, Head of the Department of Armenian–Kurdish Relations at the Institute of Armenian Studies, PhD, Associate Professor, also delivered a thematic report titled "China's Approach to Monitoring and Balancing Regional Developments in the Middle East".
According to the assessments of the conference participants, the deepening of Armenia–China strategic cooperation, the expansion of scientific and educational exchanges, and the implementation of joint infrastructure projects can become key driving forces for advancing Armenia–China relations to a new level.
