Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend K.Ramazanova / Liu Jianchao, a representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that the Government of China respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and backs the resolutions of the UN Security Council regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He was commenting on the so-called 'presidential elections' held in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani territory under Armenian occupation.
China hopes that both sides will be able to find the right solution to the conflict in line with international law. China is prepared to continue constructive steps jointly with the international community to resolve the conflict.
The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus broke out in 1988 due to the territorial claims of Armenia against Azerbaijan. Armenia has occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven districts of the country surrounding it. Since 1992 to the present time, these territories have been under the occupation of the Armenian Forces. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a cease-fire agreement at which time active hostilities ended. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France and USA) hold peaceful negotiations.