Representatives of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and the Hong Kong Core Academy met in Baku to discuss deepening scientific cooperation between the two countries. After the meeting, the guests also visited an archaeological excavation site in Gabala.
At a meeting held in Baku, ANAS President, academician Isa Habibbeyli, met with the head of the Hong Kong Core Academy, academician Di Zhang. The two sides noted that Azerbaijan-China relations have entered a strategic partnership phase in recent years, strengthening mutual ties in politics, the economy, science and culture.
Habibbeyli said ANAS has built close relations with several Chinese institutions, including the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Hebei Academy of Social Sciences, the Hong Kong Core Academy, and two universities operating in Beijing and Hebei. He also noted that a Chinese Culture Centre operates at ANAS’s Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature.
Habibbeyli congratulated Di Zhang on his appointment as head of the Hong Kong Core Academy and said the meeting would contribute to further developing scientific partnership between the two institutions. Di Zhang, for his part, said the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and China creates favourable conditions for joint scientific research and stressed the importance of expanding cooperation into new areas.
The talks covered strengthening ties between scientists of the two countries, carrying out joint projects and research, organising various scientific events, and preparing academic publications. At the end of the meeting, Di Zhang presented ANAS academic secretary, academician Arif Hashimov, with a diploma and certificate confirming his full membership in the academy.
The visiting delegation then travelled to Gabala accompanied by academician Isa Habibbeyli, where they closely observed ongoing excavation work at the Archaeological Centre. Gafar Jabiyev, Doctor of Historical Sciences and professor, and Jeyhun Eminli, PhD in History, briefed the guests in detail on the excavation work and the material and cultural artefacts uncovered. As part of the visit, the guests also toured the Nij church in Gabala.
Professor Li Lei, a member of the Hong Kong Core Academy’s Executive Council, deputy secretary-general professor Raymond C. Wu, and academy staff member Liu Mei also took part in the meetings and the visit.
