The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Mikheil Kavelashvili on his election as President of Georgia. However, Kavelashvili’s legitimacy is contested by former President Salome Zourabichvili, opposition parties, a significant portion of Georgian society, and many international partners.
According to information published on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website on January 3, Xi Jinping highlighted the positive momentum in the strategic partnership between China and Georgia in his message. The letter stated that both countries continue to strengthen political trust, achieve fruitful results under the Belt and Road Initiative, and engage in successful international cooperation.
“I highly value the development of China-Georgia relations and am ready to work with the President to deepen traditional friendship, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote greater progress in China-Georgia relations for the benefit of both nations,” Xi Jinping wrote, according to the ministry.
So far, public information indicates that Mikheil Kavelashvili has received official congratulations on his presidency from five countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Serbia, and Turkey.
