On November 12, 2018, the Institute of Oriental Studies of the NAS RA, with the support of the Confucius Institute of Bryusov State University, organized the conference “Modernization of China. Armenia-China Relations” international conference.

The conference was addressed to the modernization of China, which is China’s vision on current international relations, global security issues, and issues related to human development and well-being. On the other hand, the conference aimed to examine the dynamics of Armenia-China relations, its strengths and weaknesses, as well as current trends. The conference was attended by researchers from the Institute of Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Humanities, a partner of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Renmin University, and Beijing University of Aviation and Astronautics. On the Armenian side, the conference was attended by researchers from the Institute of Oriental Studies of NAS RA, BSU, ASUE, and representatives of institutions cooperating with China. Before the start of the conference, the Charge d’Affaires of the PRC in the RA, who arrived at the NAS to participate in the conference, N. G. Chen Min, the embassy delegation, the director of the Armenian side of the Confucius Institute at BSU G. Sargsyan and the representatives of the Institute of Oriental Studies were received by Academician Ashot Saghyan, President of the NAS RA. The conversation focused on the current process and prospects of bilateral cooperation in the scientific field.

At the opening of the conference, Head of the International Relations Department of the Institute of Oriental Studies Araks Pashayan touched upon the issues discussed at the conference, their scientific and political importance, the growing role of China as a superpower in modern geopolitical and geoeconomic processes, the internal and external aspects of Chinese modernization, the importance of the Chinese vision for the international community, including Armenia. The welcoming speech was delivered by Gohar Iskandaryan, Acting Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the NAS RA, who spoke in detail about the successful cooperation between the Institute of Oriental Studies and various scientific and educational institutions of China, in particular the Chinese Academy of Humanities. She noted that in recent years, tangible steps have been taken towards bilateral cooperation. Numerous workshops were organized, and mutual visits took place. The Institute of Oriental Studies continued to work in the direction of scientific diplomacy. She noted that the Institute also aspires to become one of the leading centres for Asian studies, including China. Ms. Iskandaryan also attached importance to the cooperation with the Confucius Institute operating in the Republic of Armenia and spoke about the growing interest in Chinese culture in Armenia. The Chargé d’Affaires of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Armenia H.E.  Chen Min (speech attached) and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the People’s Republic of China H.E. Vahe Gevorgyan (speech attached) also delivered welcoming speeches. On behalf of the Orbeli Center for Public Relations and Information of the Prime Minister’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, J. Melikyan welcomed the conference.

The participants of the conference managed to hold interesting and meaningful discussions on the above-mentioned issues and make several constructive proposals on Armenia-China cooperation.