Among the South Caucasus countries, Azerbaijan stands out for its steadily growing educational ties with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Baku actively emphasizes the importance of strengthening bilateral relations with Beijing, framing these developments as significant milestones. Although there is little transparency about the agreements, publicly available sources regularly highlight and commend steps taken to enhance Sino-Azerbaijani cooperation.
Sino-Azerbaijani educational cooperation is firmly embedded in governmental agreements. In 2020, Beijing and Baku signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Education, which includes provisions for exchange and internship programs at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. levels. It rules that the number of students receiving government scholarships from each country should not exceed 100 and envisages the development of dual-degree programs and language education initiatives in the future.
In addition, in July 2024, the two governments elevated bilateral relations by signing a Strategic Partnership agreement, including educational cooperation. It affirmed that “cooperation in the field of education is steadily developing.” Indeed, academic collaboration between two countries includes a diverse range of initiatives, including Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), cooperation agreements, the establishment of research and cultural centers, summer camps and schools, internships, scholarship programs, training opportunities, exchange programs, conferences, and joint projects.
Opaque partnerships with Chinese institutions
Our research found 167 links between Azerbaijani and Chinese entities. Approximately 30 Azerbaijani educational institutions have formed formal or informal partnerships with Chinese counterparts. Specifically, these partnerships involve 96 Chinese universities, 18 Chinese research institutions, 18 Chinese state institutions, 15 Chinese corporations, 11 Confucius Institutes, and ten other types of Chinese entities. Consequently, about 57% of these ties have been established between universities from both countries.
However, as with governmental agreements, the lack of transparency remains a significant challenge in analyzing these developments. Notably, no agreements signed between Azerbaijani and Chinese universities have been publicly disclosed. The primary sources of information (the official websites of Azerbaijani universities) offer limited details and often fail to specify the scope or areas of cooperation, as well as the timelines of the memorandums or agreements signed.
Confucius Institutes in Azerbaijan
Confucius Institutes in Azerbaijan play a vital role in not only promoting the Chinese language, culture, and educational opportunities offered by the PRC but also propagating a favorable perspective of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), China’s governance style, and its military or law enforcement institutions. In this regard, the Confucius Institute at Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL) distinguishes itself through its active engagement, offering diverse lectures about the PRC. On 28 June 2023, for instance, the Confucius Institute at AUL hosted an event commemorating the 96th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The institute’s director delivered a lecture highlighting the mission and responsibilities of the PLA, its role in fostering a global community with a shared future, and the development prospects of military-political and military-technological relations between Azerbaijan and China. On 3 July 2023, an event was held at the Confucius Institute at AUL to mark the 102nd anniversary of the CCP. The institute’s director gave a lecture emphasizing Xi Jinping’s Global Civilization Initiative and discussing the historical cooperation between Azerbaijan’s ruling party and the CCP. On 9 January 2025, the institute organized an event celebrating Chinese People’s Police Day. During the lecture, the director discussed the role of the Chinese People’s Police in combating economic crimes, ensuring border security, and countering terrorism. He also highlighted China’s ranking among the ten most secure countries globally.
Currently, two Confucius Institutes operate in Azerbaijan: one at Baku State University (BSU) and another at the Azerbaijan University of Languages. Additionally, there are branches of Confucius Institutes established at the University of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan’s National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University, and Khazar University.
These Confucius Classrooms and Institutes offer diverse activities and services, including Chinese language and culture courses, Business Chinese training, and organization for Chinese language proficiency tests. They also organize events showcasing Chinese culture, provide translation services to and from the Chinese language, and support educational exchange programs with the PRC. Furthermore, the institutions offer consultations for individuals planning to travel to China and assist with translating scientific research from Chinese into Azerbaijani.
The Confucius Institute at Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL) plays a prominent role in fostering educational and cultural exchange, as reflected in the director’s statement that the Institute has ten branches nationwide. However, the absence of publicly accessible information about these classrooms underscores a lack of clarity in the institute’s operations.
In addition to its partnership with Huzhou University, its official Chinese counterpart, the institute has established relations with other entities associated with the PRC. For example, in 2017, Xi’an University of Economics and Finance expressed interest in pursuing scientific cooperation with the institute. Furthermore, in 2018, representatives from the PRC’s State Council Information Office visited AUL’s Confucius Institute. During this visit, the parties discussed the political, cultural, and economic relations among the Silk Road countries.
Interestingly, the Confucius Institute at AUL is led by Rafig Abbasov, a prominent figure with strong ties to the PRC. Since 2019, he has served as the Executive Secretary of the Azerbaijan-China Friendship and Cooperation Community. Abbasov is also the author of several books that highlight the historical and contemporary relationship between Azerbaijan and China, such as Heydar Aliyev and China and Ilham Aliyev: Modern Successor of the Friendship of Two Ancient Nations.
Confucius Institutes and Classrooms have proven to be, and will likely continue to serve as, significant instruments of Chinese “soft power” in Azerbaijan. On 10 July 2023, representatives from Hexi University visited Sumgayit State University to discuss the potential establishment of a Confucius Institute at the university, further signaling the anticipated growth of the Chinese institutions’ impact in Azerbaijan.
Collaboration with controversial Chinese universities
While Azerbaijani universities demonstrate a strong eagerness to establish cooperative relationships with Chinese institutions, due diligence practices are often insufficient before formalizing such partnerships. Consequently, 11 Azerbaijani institutions have formed 35 links with Chinese universities that are classified as risky by the ASPI Tracker due to their close associations with the People’s Liberation Army.
Notably, 40% of these links are attributed to Baku State University, followed by Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (14%) and Khazar University (14%). Of the total connections, 14% encompass high-risk institutions, such as Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Peking University. Additionally, 14% of the mentioned links are established with Chinese institutions designated as very high risk, such as Sichuan University and Tsinghua University.
Notably, Peking University is designated as high-risk for its involvement in defense research and links to China’s nuclear weapons program. Despite these concerns, on 8 December 2024, representatives from Baku State University met with their counterparts from Peking University. The Chinese delegation expressed a strong interest in collaboration, highlighting opportunities for joint efforts in fields such as mathematics, physics, astrophysics, chemistry, biology, and other fundamental sciences. Following the discussions, the two universities agreed to establish cooperative ties and initiate a dual-degree program.
According to the ASPI Tracker, Sichuan University (SCU) is classified as a very high-risk institution due to its involvement in China’s nuclear weapons program and suspected affiliations with the PLA. Despite these risks, SCU has cultivated formal/informal relationships with Azerbaijani educational institutions. For instance, in 2012, Baku State University signed a cooperation agreement with SCU, followed by a similar agreement with Azerbaijan University of Languages in 2013. Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s National Academy of Sciences has developed strong ties with SCU, as evidenced by the appointment of the head of the ANAS Institute of Control Systems to SCU’s International Advisory Council.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is among the high-risk institutions as it is reportedly linked to PLA Unit 61398, which has been implicated in cyber-attacks against the United States. Despite these facts, SJTU maintains noteworthy ties with Azerbaijani higher education institutions. For instance, in 2023, university representatives met with Baku State University officials to discuss potential avenues for cooperation. In 2023, a student from Nakhchivan State University participated in the Belt and Road International Undergraduate Forum for Basic Innovative Experiment Design in Medical Sciences, co-organized by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). He presented his project, “Innovation for Healthcare Systems–Wireless ECG,” and received a certificate of honor.
Building networks with Chinese companies
Educational cooperation partners in Azerbaijan include not only Chinese universities but also Chinese companies, such as Huawei. One notable initiative is Huawei’s educational and talent recruitment program, “Seeds for the Future,” which provides selected participants with short-term training and exchange opportunities in China. In 2016, Huawei reached an agreement with the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and High Technologies, the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan, and five leading universities—Azerbaijan University of Languages, Baku State University, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Baku Higher Oil School, and Baku Engineering University—to launch a local version of the “Seeds for the Future” program. Under this initiative, ten students from the participating universities are selected annually to take part. By December 2020, a total of 36 Azerbaijani students had participated in the program. In addition to “Seeds for the Future,” Huawei maintains a close partnership with Baku Higher Oil School, with the two institutions having signed multiple memorandums and cooperation agreements to further their collaboration.
Huawei is not the only company maintaining ties with Azerbaijani universities. Several other enterprises have established collaborations with higher education institutions in Azerbaijan. They include:
- October 2023: The Azerbaijan State University of Economics signed an agreement with the “Modern China” company. According to the contract, the university will collaborate with the company to attract foreign students, establish partnerships with Chinese universities, and facilitate student exchange programs.
- October 28, 2022: Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction reached an agreement with China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd, which was designated as an International Sponsor of the War by Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention in 2023 and classified as a Chinese Military Company by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2024. Per the agreement, university students can intern on projects the company manages.
- November 2017: Representatives of Baku Higher Oil School met with officials from China Minsheng Investment Group. The Chinese company expressed its willingness to finance and support university projects focused on renewable energy.
- 2021: Employees of the Academy of the State Customs Committee participated in a training course on “Operators” conducted by Nuctech Company Limited.
- 2017–2018: In 2018, employees of Azerbaijan’s National Academy of Sciences met with leading CNOOC experts, who expressed interest in joint research and the implementation of innovative software solutions in oil field operations.
The partnership between Azerbaijan’s National Academy of Sciences and Chinese institutions further reflects Azerbaijan’s efforts to strengthen scientific ties with the PRC. ANAS has formalized its relations through cooperation memorandums, agreements, and partnerships with various PRC-connected entities. A key example of this tendency is ANAS’s active engagement with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, which included a joint scientific conference on “Azerbaijan-China Economic Cooperation” in 2017 and the subsequent publication of a jointly-authored book in 2018.
Recommendations for risk management
Azerbaijan’s political landscape, characterized by limited transparency, restricted freedom of expression, and a lack of critical discourse, poses challenges for addressing risks associated with the educational opportunities of foreign partners, including China. Official documents from universities or think tanks rarely address these challenges, leaving the academic field without a clear framework for engagement. To mitigate future hazards and ensure sustainable cooperation, the following recommendations can be proposed:
- Establish a legislative framework: There should be legislation that provides clear guidelines for educational institutions engaging with foreign partners.
- Implement comprehensive due diligence procedures: Universities should adopt systematic due diligence processes before formalizing agreements with foreign institutions.
- Promote academic independence and research ethics: Azerbaijani universities should prioritize academic independence and avoid partnerships that may result in undue influence or compromise the integrity of educational programs.
By adopting these measures, Azerbaijan can strengthen its higher education sector’s capacity to engage in meaningful and secure international educational partnerships while safeguarding its national interests.
Explore more data on Azerbaijan-China academic engagements here.
