In recent years, tourism exchanges between China and Azerbaijan have been constantly heating up. The latest data from the Azerbaijan National Tourism Agency shows that in the first 10 months of 2025, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Azerbaijan reached 57000, a year-on-year increase of 49%; In 2024, there were nearly 45000 Chinese tourists visiting Afghanistan, a year-on-year increase of 93%. At present, China has entered the top 10 sources of inbound tourists to Azerbaijan, and tourism cooperation between China and Azerbaijan is showing a good development trend. Azerbaijan is known as the "Land of Fire" and is an important node on the ancient Silk Road, with rich historical and cultural heritage and diverse natural landscapes. The ancient and modern architecture and art of the capital city Baku, the historical style and natural scenery of Gobstan rock paintings and mud volcano groups, as well as unique experiences such as salt cave therapy and oil baths, constitute Azerbaijan's unique tourism resources. In July 2024, Azerbaijan implemented a one-year unilateral visa free policy for Chinese citizens. In July 2025, the agreement between China and Arab countries on mutual exemption of visas for citizens holding ordinary passports will come into effect. The promotion of visa facilitation policies has provided great convenience for personnel exchanges between the two countries. Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the Chinese tourism market and hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in the tourism industry. ”Fuad Nagiyev, Director General of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Agency, stated that China is a strategic priority market for Azerbaijan's tourism industry. At present, Fangzheng is enhancing its reception capacity for Chinese tourists through the "China Ready" project, which includes strengthening Chinese language services, optimizing payment convenience, adding traditional Chinese dishes to hotel menus, and cultivating professional Chinese tour guides. It is reported that more than 100 local tourism practitioners have completed the training of this project and obtained certificates. Algeria has also cooperated with Confucius Institutes in local universities to strengthen the reserve of Chinese talents and provide a more suitable travel environment for Chinese tourists. The Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau, under the Azerbaijan National Tourism Administration, has increased its efforts in innovating and promoting tourism products, launching five themed routes: splendid cultural tours, natural ecological explorations, ancient Silk Road heritage, specialty food experiences, and physical and mental healing tours, to meet the different needs of Chinese tourists. Since 2025, Azerbaijani Tourism Administration has successively held tourism promotion activities in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other cities, and cooperated with Ctrip, Qunar and other tourism platforms, as well as social media such as WeChat, Tiktok, Weibo and Xiaohongshu, to enhance the popularity of Azerbaijani tourism in China. We have always had a high level of enthusiasm and anticipation for the Chinese tourism market, "said Florian Sengstesmed, CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Authority. The interconnectivity of transportation provides important support for China Arab tourism cooperation. At present, Baku has opened direct flights to Beijing and Urumqi. Nagiyev stated that Afghanistan will continue to improve its tourism infrastructure, provide more convenience for Chinese citizens to travel to Afghanistan, and further enhance the level of tourism cooperation between the two countries. Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Rumei stated that personnel exchanges between China and Azerbaijan are becoming increasingly close, and tourism exchanges are becoming more active. China is willing to work with Afghanistan to deepen tourism cooperation between the two countries and add new connotations to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. (New Society)