BAKU, April 28 -- Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Wei Jianhua said here on Friday China-proposed One Belt One Road initiative is expected to contribute to economic relations between the two countries, helping boost Azerbaijan-China volume of trade.

In a speech on China-Azerbaijan relations at Baku State University, Wei notably addressed economic relations between China and Azerbaijan. He said Azerbaijan supported the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative and has great potential to become a valuable partner in this project.

He also briefed about China's new development, the difficulties and challenges that China is facing and the new progress and the future prospects of China--Azerbaijan relations in economic area.

The Ambassador praised the activity of the Chinese department of the Baku State University, adding that there are two Confucius institutes functioning in Azerbaijan and interest in the Chinese language is rapidly growing.

China and Azerbaijan are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year. China was among the first countries to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan and establish diplomatic ties with it after the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1991.