Gov’t pledges for more flights from China as lifts visa requirements for country’s citizens

The Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said the authorities were communicating with Chinese airline carriers to ensure seven flights per week at the initial stage, adding the Government had an “ambition” to ensure at least 10 flights per day to “further encourage” the domestic economy. 

 

The official claimed the signing of the strategic deal with Being earlier this year and an announcement by Prime MInister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday about lifting visa requirements for Chinese citizens – that means a stay in the country without visas for 30 days – would pose “no threats” to Tbilisi’s strategic partnership with the United States. 

 

He added the US and the EU had enjoyed “intensive economic cooperation with China” and the latter was the “most desirable” market for the tourism sector of any country. 

 

Kelly Degnan, the outgoing US Ambassador, last month pointed to “increasing cooperation” between Russia and China, amid the ongoing occupation of 20 percent of Georgian lands by Moscow.