The cooperative relations between Azerbaijan and China are expected to be promoted to a higher level, said Azerbaijan Ambassador to China Yashar Tofigi Aliyev in Beijing Wednesday at a press conference marking the 12th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.  

In recent years the two countries have kept frequent high-level exchanges and the bilateral economic ties have been strengthened on the basis of stable political relations, he said.

In 2003 the bilateral trade volume reached US$238 million, up 149.7 percent year on year, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

The construction of the new Eurasian continental bridge will bring more convenience to the cargo trade between Middle Asia, Europe and China, the ambassador said.

The two countries enjoy great economic cooperation potential in agriculture, light industry, textile and tourism, he said, underscoring bilateral cooperation in energy field.

Azerbaijan welcomes Chinese enterprises to participate in the oil pipeline project connecting Azerbaijan and Turkey, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2004)