Chinese President Xi Jinping and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on August 31 announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries during their meeting in the port city of Tianjin ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025.

Pashinyan is in China to attend the summit, as well as activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Xi said since the two countries forged diplomatic relations 33 years ago, they have maintained healthy and steady development of the ties, and the establishment of the strategic partnership marks a significant milestone.

China supports Armenia in joining the SCO and is willing to work with Armenia to practice true multilateralism and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.

Armenia is currently a dialogue partner of the SCO.

Pashinyan said Armenia firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and looks forward to expanding economic and trade cooperation with China, maintaining close coordination in international and regional affairs, and promoting greater development of bilateral relations.

The two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of the strategic partnership and signed multiple bilateral cooperation documents.

Senior Chinese officials Cai Qi, Wang Yi and Chen Min'er were present at the meeting.