Ruling party MP insists Georgia-China partnership remains strong despite Shanghai Summit absence

Irakli Kirtskhalia, first deputy chairman of the parliamentary faction of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday dismissed opposition criticism over the country’s absence from the Shanghai Summit in China, calling the claims “absurd” and “speculative.”

The lawmaker claimed the regulations determining which countries were invited to the summit were publicly available and clear. He accused the opposition of politicizing a straightforward procedural matter.

“The opposition, in their short-sightedness, thought they could spin something from these completely absurd speculative statements,” Kirtskhalia said. “Clarifications have already been made regarding who was invited according to the regulations. As for attending China, we clearly recall their previous speculations and the double standards regarding strategic partnerships between Georgia and China.”

Kirtskhalia also referenced what he described as the opposition’s inconsistent approach to international relations in the past, including dealings with the European Union and the United States, and said the current claims were an attempt to create political controversy.

He emphasized that Georgia and China remained strategic partners and that this relationship would continue. “Their claim that they could manipulate the narrative is laughable. Both our friends and China understand that Georgia and China are strategic partners, and this will continue,” he said.