On August 21, commenting on the move by Georgia and China to a strategic partnership that was concluded during Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili's trip to Beijing, US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan stated, "I believe that the joint statement that was signed is quite loaded with political commitments that Georgia has undertaken." 

"Georgia expressed clear support for China's territorial integrity and sovereignty. But I have not seen a reciprocal pledge by the People's Republic of China to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Degnan added.

She recalled that 20% of Georgia's territory is occupied by Russia, a country with which China is establishing close relations. The American Ambassador also noted that some political commitments might contribute to China's attempts to transform the world toward a more authoritarian one and expressed doubt that China shares the democratic values important to Georgia and its Western partners.

As previously reported by Caucasus Watch, the two sides released a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership. The information said: "The two sides highlighted that given the current international order and economic globalization, the bilateral ties between China and Georgia have gained considerable importance. Both sides regard each other as an important strategic partner and thus regard the deepening of bilateral relations as a priority of their respective foreign policies."