ACGFPქართული

International conference

China–GeorgiaAn Exemplary Strategic Partnership

21–22 November 2026Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel, Tbilisi

See the programmeMeet the speakers
days
2
sessions
6
speakers
16
November 2026
21–22

Two countries, one partnership: from history to artificial intelligence

Georgia and China signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement in July 2023, and on 9 June 2026 the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Prime Minister of Georgia has described China as an exemplary strategic partner.

The conference sets out to show what makes China an exemplary partner for Georgia. Georgian and international speakers will discuss the historical ties between the two countries, China's rapid development and its experience of working with developing nations, China's role as a global actor, and new areas of cooperation, including artificial intelligence.

Participants will include members of the academic community and representatives of the public and private sectors. Special attention will be given to cooperation at the municipal level: local governments of Georgian cities and regions that have signed sister-city memorandums with China will be invited.

Programme

The programme is preliminary and may change.

  1. Registration

  2. Session I

    Opening and welcome remarks

    Paata Gurgenidze, Beka Natsvlishvili, Badri Nachkebia, Zaza Shatirishvili

    Q&A

  3. Coffee break

  4. Session II

    • Paata Gurgenidze

      The West's unfair accusations against China and their parallels in Georgia's ancient history

    • Gia Kvashilava

      Towards establishing the four-thousand-year chronology of Georgian-Kartvelian statehood

    • Mamuka Makhatadze

      From buffer to node: China's fundamental role in Georgia's transformation

    Panel discussion

  5. Lunch

  6. Session III

    • Dr Howard Nicholas

      The difference between China and the US/Europe as economic partners for Georgia

    • Tornike Chivadze

      Unfair “debt trap” accusations against China

    • Giorgi Mdivani

      China's industrial policy and how it differs from the Asian Tigers

    Panel discussion

  1. Registration

  2. Session IV

    • Dr Bram Nicholas

      How China can help raise living standards in Georgia

    • Vakhtang Lomjaria

      Economic cooperation between Georgia and China: dynamics and development potential

    • Otar Tchulukhadze

      Artificial intelligence, the second sword of Damocles: a comparative analysis of China and the US from empirical and paradigmatic perspectives

    • Irakli Zhorzholiani

      The political economy of artificial intelligence and global governance

    Panel discussion

  3. Coffee break

  4. Session V

    • Zviad Avaliani

      Historical ties between China and Georgia

    • Alexander Tsagareli

      Cooperation in education, science and innovation in China

    • Sopio Mezvrishvili

      Sovereign modernisation: the Chinese paradigm of substantive democracy

    Panel discussion

  5. Lunch

  6. Session VI

    Geostrategy and global governance

    Moderator: Luka Ekhvaia

    Speakers to be announced

    Panel discussion

Speakers

Paata Gurgenidze

Director, ACGFP

  • Session IWelcome remarks
  • Session IIThe West's unfair accusations against China and their parallels in Georgia's ancient history

Beka Natsvlishvili

Political scientist, head of CCSAS (China studies centre)

  • Session IWelcome remarks

Badri Nachkebia

Historian and journalist, host of “Chinese Panorama”

  • Session IWelcome remarks

Zaza Shatirishvili

Philosopher and cultural researcher

  • Session IWelcome remarks

Gia Kvashilava

President, Academy of Phasis

  • Session IITowards establishing the four-thousand-year chronology of Georgian-Kartvelian statehood

Mamuka Makhatadze

Associate Professor, GIPA

  • Session IIFrom buffer to node: China's fundamental role in Georgia's transformation

Dr Howard Nicholas

Economist, Erasmus University Rotterdam

  • Session IIIThe difference between China and the US/Europe as economic partners for Georgia

Tornike Chivadze

Sociologist and researcher

  • Session IIIUnfair “debt trap” accusations against China

Giorgi Mdivani

Political analyst, PosTV

  • Session IIIChina's industrial policy and how it differs from the Asian Tigers

Dr Bram Nicholas

Economist, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City

  • Session IVHow China can help raise living standards in Georgia

Vakhtang Lomjaria

Head of Economic Development, Tbilisi City Hall

  • Session IVEconomic cooperation between Georgia and China: dynamics and development potential

Otar Tchulukhadze

Philosopher; researcher, CIPRF

  • Session IVArtificial intelligence, the second sword of Damocles: a comparative analysis of China and the US from empirical and paradigmatic perspectives

Irakli Zhorzholiani

Founder, AGI HIVE

  • Session IVThe political economy of artificial intelligence and global governance

Zviad Avaliani

Journalist and TV host, PosTV

  • Session VHistorical ties between China and Georgia

Alexander Tsagareli

Sociologist, lecturer at Tbilisi State University

  • Session VCooperation in education, science and innovation in China

Sopio Mezvrishvili

Researcher, CIPRF

  • Session VSovereign modernisation: the Chinese paradigm of substantive democracy

Luka Ekhvaia

Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia

  • Session VIModerator

Venue

Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel

First Republic Square, Tbilisi

Registration opens at 10:00 on both days.

View on map

Organisers

Under the patronage of
Mrs Tamar Bagrationi, First Lady of Georgia
Funded by
Tbilisi City Hall
Organiser
Association for China-Georgia Friendship and Partnership (ACGFP)
Contact
Contact details will be added soon.
Association for China-Georgia Friendship and Partnership