Evolution of Azerbaijan-China Bilateral Relations in Eurasian Geopolitics (2015-2025)

Abstract

The purpose of the research paper is to examine the evolution of Azerbaijan-China relations from 2015 to 2025 within the context of shifting geopolitical dynamics and global power competition. Special attention is paid to the strategic planning, institutional mechanisms, and normative dimensions that define the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in 2025, as well as its implications for the broader Global South.

The scientific novelty. This study lies in its multi-perspective analysis of Azerbaijan-China relations (2015-2025), grounded in the domestic development strategies of both countries. Unlike traditional accounts that focus narrowly on bilateral cooperation, this paper integrates empirical evidence with diverse International Relations theories to move beyond simplistic narratives. It reveals how emerging countries build stable and strategic partnerships in the context of shifting global dynamics.

Conclusions. The development of Azerbaijan-China relations over the last ten years (2015-2025) presents an inspiring instance of the formation of a comprehensive partnership of strategic importance, exhibiting the complex interaction of core International Relations (IR) theories in modern governance. It can be interpreted along three dimensions: as a realist response to security and geopolitical shifts, as a relationship shaped by institutional and economic interdependence, and as a normative alignment grounded in shared identity and discursive values within the Global South.

From a realist perspective, Azerbaijan and China relations have steadily deepened, driven by converging interests in national sovereignty, regional influence, and security. From a liberal institutionalist standpoint, the Azerbaijan-China partnership, through institutionalization and economic interdependence, reduces the risk of strategic miscalculation and enhances policy coordination and cooperation. From a constructivist point of view, Azerbaijan-China relations are shaped chiefly by shared identity and discursive equality rather than merely by economic concerns or institutional structures.

Conceptually, the Azerbaijan-China partnership affirms the analytical relevance of a pluralistic approach to international relations theory. No single paradigm adequately captures the multidimensional character of this bilateral engagement. A synthesized framework is therefore needed, one that incorporates power dynamics, institutional structures, identity formation, and geopolitical context. Empirically, the partnership demonstrates how middle powers can exercise strategic agency and advance development goals through calibrated, multilateral engagement with emerging powers. It also illustrates the potential of non-hegemonic cooperation to support alternative forms of global governance that reflect more inclusive and representative international norms.