Become an OC Media MemberSupport independent journalism in the Caucasus:
Join Today
Media logo
China

Georgian Dream scrambles to apologise to China over president’s comments

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili addressing the Georgia–China Forum in Beijing in July 2023.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili addressing the Georgia–China Forum in Beijing in July 2023.

Leading members of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party have scrambled to apologise to China, after President Salome Zurabishvili appeared to suggest the Chinese Premier, Xi Jinping, should face prosecution.

The president’s office released a translation of Saturday’s interview with French TV station CLI, which was conducted in French. Zurabishvili was reportedly asked if she hoped the Chinese and Russian leaders would face prosecution — Putin, for crimes against humanity, and Xi Jinping, for the genocide of the Uyghurs — with the journalist adding: ‘Putin, of course, first of all, because it concerns you more’.

Zurabishvili responded that this would be a ‘historic result’, while adding that she did not believe it was realistic. On Tuesday, Zurabishvili’s office met with the Chinese President and claimed that the president’s statement concerned only President Putin, and that ‘the entire interview was focused on Georgia-EU relations, Georgia and Russia’.

This came after a flurry of criticism from Georgian Dream.

On Monday, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili met with Chinese Ambassador Chou Tsien, where he reportedly expressed ‘concern’ over Zurabishvili’s comments.

‘The Prime Minister expressed his regret for the statement of the President of Georgia and hoped that the said statement of the President would not affect or damage the highly positive relations between Georgia and China historical dynamics’, the Government Agency said in a statement.

Other members of the ruling party were also quick to condemn the president and defend relations with China.

‘Zurabishvili’s statement about the Chinese President was shameful, for which the government had to apologise’, Georgian Dream chair Irakli Kobakhidze said on Tuesday. 

Georgia’s relations with China have grown increasingly warm in recent years. This summer, the Georgian and Chinese leaders agreed to ‘elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership’ during a week-long visit by Gharibashvili to China for the 31st World Summer Games of the International University Sports Federation. Critics warned the agreement could endanger the country’s relations with the West. 

[Read on OC Media: Georgia seeks closer ties with China]

Related Articles

Irakli Kobakhidze presenting Georgian Dream’s election programme. Photo: Georgian Dream/Facebook.
2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections

Georgian Dream promises ‘pragmatic policy’ with Russia in election programme

O

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has presented Georgian Dream’s election programme, vowing to adopt a ‘pragmatic policy’ towards Russia and to create 200,000 jobs and increase average salaries by 2028. Kobakhidze presented his party’s four-year plan on Monday evening, less than three weeks ahead of 26 October’s parliamentary elections. In an hour-long speech, he said the programme included ‘about 20% of the activities that will be implemented in the next four years’ and ‘due to the lack o

Illustration: Tamar Shvelidze/OC Media
China

Opinion | Georgia’s one-sided relationship with China comes with significant risks

T

The Georgian Government has increasingly moved to strengthen relations with China, hailing the economic potential of the partnership including high-profile infrastructure projects. But despite the optimism, the relationship has so far remained almost entirely one-sided, and in fact, opens the country up to substantial new risks. Georgia’s foreign strategic alignment has been profoundly influenced by its geopolitical location, historical context, and aspirations for closer integration with West

Construction work on the Anaklia port prior to the government pulling the contract with the developer. Photo: ADC.
Anaklia Port

Belgian company wins tender for Anaklia Port

O

The Georgian government has announced Belgian company Jan De Nul as the winner of a tender for the development of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port in western Georgia. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Economy on Thursday, and confirmed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The Economy Ministry stated that Jan De Nul was one of four companies that applied for the tender, all of them ‘European’, with ‘the best international reputation’. In May, the ministry listed Jan De Nul, Boskalis,

Bidzina Ivanishvili at the opening ceremony of a new Georgian Dream office and launch of their pre-election campaign. Photo: Georgian Dream.
2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections

Ivanishvili promises crackdown on opposition after elections

O

Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili has threatened legal sanctions against opposition to the ruling party at a ceremony opening the party’s new HQ and announcing the beginning of their election campaign. ‘To ensure the steady development of the country, it is essential to hold the collective National Movement fully accountable in front of the Georgian people and the law’, Georgian Dream’s billionaire founder said in a rare public appearance on Tuesday evening. The party has used th

Most Popular

Editor‘s Picks