Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan speaks at the opening ceremony of the Orbeli Forum 2025 in Yerevan, Armenia, Nov. 4, 2025. The strategic partnership agreement signed between Armenia and China marks a new level in relations between the two countries, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Tuesday. (Armenian state news agency Armenpress/Handout via Xinhua)

YEREVAN, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The strategic partnership agreement signed between Armenia and China marks a new level in relations between the two countries, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Tuesday.

The partnership was announced during a meeting between the Armenian prime minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Aug. 31 in China's port city of Tianjin ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025.

Speaking to Xinhua during the Orbeli Forum held in Yerevan, Pashinyan highlighted the similarities between the Armenian government's Crossroads of Peace project, which aims to open transport routes in the region, and China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Armenia's foreign policy in recent years has been balanced and complementary rather than conflicting, said Pashinyan, adding he was confident about making Armenia a crossroads of peace.

The Orbeli Forum 2025, hosted by the Armenian think tank Orbeli Center, focused on discussions on peace and security in the South Caucasus region and connectivity among its countries, with the participation of officials and scholars from over 10 countries and international organizations. ■

This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2025 shows the Orbeli Forum 2025 in Yerevan, Armenia. The strategic partnership agreement signed between Armenia and China marks a new level in relations between the two countries, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Tuesday. (Armenian state news agency Armenpress/Handout via Xinhua)