BAKU -- The number of Chinese tourists visiting Azerbaijan rose by 49 percent in the first ten months of 2025, reaching 57,000, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency Fuad Nagiyev said Monday.

Nagiyev said recent developments, including the mutual visa-exemption agreements signed in April and the launch of direct flights between Baku and Beijing and Baku and Urumqi, are already contributing to stronger exchanges, adding that China is now among the top 10 source markets for visitors to Azerbaijan.

ALSO READ: Azerbaijan ratifies visa-free travel agreement with China

Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, said Azerbaijan plans to expand its Destinations Azerbaijan program in China. Noting that China remains the world's largest outbound tourism market, he said Azerbaijan's presence in this market continues to grow.