Baku, November 2, AZERTAC

Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Baku Yu Hongchi has said Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) enjoys popularity in his country as he met the agency`s Director General Aslan Aslanov.

He hailed the activities of AZERTAC. “Producing news in seven languages is a tremendous and difficult work. This task can be coped with only by a large and experienced news agency as AZERTAC, which is 95 years old.” Mr Hongchi said the Embassy is keen to expand its cooperation with AZERTAC, including the implementation of joint projects, which will “help us promote the awareness of our societies about China and Azerbaijan”.

Mr. Aslanov spoke of AZERTAC`s cooperation with foreign counterparts. “We are exchanging information with national news agencies of more than 40 countries on the basis of bilateral agreements.” "AZERTAC today holds chairmanship and is an active member of a number of regional and international news organizations. We will host the 16th General Assembly of the Organization of Asia Pacific News Agencies and the 5th News Agencies World Congress in 2016.”

He also highlighted Azerbaijani-Chinese relations. “The bilateral ties between our countries are developing and strengthening in all areas, particularly in political, economic and humanitarian ones.”

Mr Aslanov praised AZERTAC`s cooperation with China`s Xinhua news agency. “AZERTAC is interested in deepening its collaboration with Xinhua both in a bilateral format and within international organizations. This can include exchange of information and experience, joint projects, and creative contacts that help to better promote Azerbaijan in China, and China in Azerbaijan.”

He said AZERTAC launched Chinese news service last year, adding “this helps us increase the awareness of the Chinese readers about Azerbaijan`s truths”.

“We also maintain close cooperation with the Confucius Institute in Azerbaijan. AZERTAC has its bureau in Beijing, which has contributed to the organization of several events in China.”