As a crucial hub on the ancient Silk Road, Georgia boasts a wine making history of over 8,000 years, earning it the title of one of the world's wine cradles and a major wine-exporting country. Today, the aroma of Georgian wine is reaching broader markets through the platform of the China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Georgia's pavilion at the 7th CIIE

Georgia is China's first free trade partner in the Eurasian region, with China having been Georgia's largest export market and third-largest trading partner for several consecutive years. The vast Chinese consumer market has brought tangible development opportunities and benefits to Georgia. As one of the guest countries of honor at the 8th CIIE, Georgia looks forward to showcasing its greater potential on this international stage. 

Paata Kalandadze, Ambassador of Georgia to China, said that the CIIE presents a significant opportunity on a global scale and an excellent platform for Georgian products to gain more favor. "This not only helps expand the trade volume between Georgia and China but also opens the door for us to actively participate in other countries' markets."

TRADITIONAL WINE MAKING VESSELS AS HIGHLIGHTS

"Homeland of Wine", "8,000 Years of Wine Making History"...... at the Georgian National Pavilion during the 6th CIIE, two large clay vessels were placed at the center of the exhibition hall. These vessels, known as "Qvevri", are traditional Georgian wine making tools that attracted considerable attention as if they were pieces of installation art. 

Why such meticulous setup at the exhibition? Because the CIIE has become an important platform for Georgian wine to enter the Chinese market. Data shows that in recent years, the export sales of Georgian wine to China have surged, reaching a 1% market share of imported wines in China by 2022.

The CIIE has played a crucial role in this growth. At the first CIIE, Chinese liquor brand Fenjiu signed a "sister wine" agreement with Georgia, marking a collaborative step forward. 

Through the CIIE, Georgian wines, mineral water, honey, dried fruits, and other specialty products have been entering Chinese households at an unprecedented pace. Kalandadze candidly said that the CIIE is "one of the most prominent events in the field of trade and commerce", providing Georgia with an essential platform to showcase its high-quality products to China and the world. In 2024, Georgia made a record-breaking appearance with 32 companies, and this year, as a guest country of honor, "the scale will be even larger."

A NEW CHAPTER FOR SILK ROAD PARTNERS

Georgia was one of the earliest supporters of the Belt and Road Initiative. As early as 2015, China and Georgia signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in building the Silk Road Economic Belt. In July 2023, the bilateral relationship between China and Georgia was elevated to a strategic partnership, and the two governments signed a cooperation plan for the Belt and Road Initiative. 

Kalandadze sees the establishment of the strategic partnership as a "key milestone for further advancement in bilateral relations", believing that subsequent cooperation will "become more active and cover nearly all fields." Driven by this momentum, from January to July 2025, the bilateral trade volume between China and Georgia reached 1,526.64 million USD, an increase of 261.89 million USD compared to the same period last year, up by 20.2%. 

Kalandadze pointed out that the CIIE provides a broad platform for trade exchanges between China and Georgia, injecting new vitality into business cooperation between the two sides. Through the CIIE, Georgian high-quality goods have entered the Chinese market, while Chinese high-quality products have also been showcased in the Georgian market. This bidirectional flow has strongly promoted economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. 

As a historical bridge connecting the East and the West, Georgia, with its geographical advantage, has always been an important channel for cultural exchanges and trade between Europe and Asia. Kalandadze emphasized that Georgia is committed to building the "Middle Corridor" with China's support, continuously enhancing connectivity between Europe and Asia.

RESONANCE BEYOND COMMERCE

Beyond economic and trade cooperation, Georgia equally values its cultural resonance with Chinese civilization. Kalandadze was pleasantly surprised to find numerous similarities between the two countries in family values, hospitality, and respect for historical and cultural heritage after assuming his position in China. He himself has developed a deep fondness for Chinese cuisine, particularly Sichuan cuisine and Beijing roast duck. 

This affinity will continue to extend at the 8th CIIE. The Georgian delegation plans not only to meticulously arrange their exhibition booth to showcase their economic potential and investment opportunities but also to bring vibrant national dances and music to the streets of Shanghai, allowing cultural exchanges to go beyond the exhibition halls and reach the hearts of more Chinese people. 

Kalandadze revealed that being a guest country of honor at the 8th CIIE, Georgia will bring more surprises, marking an important opportunity to further strengthen Georgia-China relations. "China is undergoing astonishing changes, with rapid economic growth and remarkable progress across various fields. We look forward to further strengthening cooperation in areas such as free energy, clean energy, and green energy through the platform of the CIIE.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is compiled from materials provided by relevant parties participating in the CIIE and media reports,  with the CIIE Bureau objectively compiling relevant content. The CIIE Bureau does not take responsibility for disputes or losses arising from the following circumstances: deviations in expression due to outdated information updates; readers' subjective judgments or actions based on this article; unauthorized alteration or dissemination of the content by third parties.