The International Republican Institute (IRI) referred to the relations between Armenia and China in its report, which discussed the increase of Beijing's global influence on the example of a dozen countries. This is reported by "Voice of America."

The Washington-based International Republican Institute (IRI) recently published a report on the spread of China's global influence, examining the dynamics of the development and deepening of China's relations with 12 countries, including Armenia. In addition to Armenia, the report examined China's ties with Brazil, Indonesia, Italy, El Salvador, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Mexico, South Africa, Solomon Islands, Zimbabwe, and Kiribati.

The report points out that Beijing has opened the second-largest embassy in Armenia among the Soviet countries, and Yerevan has expressed its commitment to the "One China" policy. Although a 2015 joint declaration between Armenia and China encouraged PRC economic investment in Armenia, its volume has remained low due to several factors, including high transportation costs, Armenia's distance from Beijing's One Belt One Road (BRI) project, and lack of regional stability, particularly Armenia's armed conflict with Azerbaijan and complex relations with Turkey.

According to the report, China views the South Caucasus as Russia's sphere of influence and is "disinclined to get involved in regional conflicts." Armenia is not an exception in this matter. It is also considered by Beijing to be a sphere of Russian interest, where Chiansatan consults with Moscow on all significant issues related to Armenia.

"China is watching developments in Ukraine very closely, as the weakening of the Kremlin creates an opportunity for other players to fill the vacuum. Defeats on the battlefield can reduce Russian influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia, for example," said IRI Eurasian Program Director Stephen Nix.