What message could Aliyev send to China through a lemon, mineral water and a cup of tea?

By Artyom Tonoyan, an expert on Iranian studies

During a recent interview with China's CGTN in Beijing, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev appeared in a photo shared on his official X account that sparked attention for the items displayed on the table in front of him.

The image features several carefully chosen items, including a distinctively shaped tea glass popular across the East, particularly in Azerbaijan, known as armudu (literally “pear-shaped”) or incibelli (“slim-waisted”), a lemon and a bottle of Istisu mineral water, sourced from the occupied town of Karvachar in Artsakh.

What messages could these objects convey to China?

The inclusion of Istisu mineral water may hint at Azerbaijan’s interest in exporting the product to China. The Chinese market has seen a sharp rise in demand for imported mineral water in recent years.

The tea glass and the lemon may serve as subtle signals of Azerbaijan’s intent to attract Chinese investment in two specific agricultural sectors – tea and citrus cultivation.

Azerbaijan’s southern Caspian region offers favorable climate conditions for tea farming. The country has a long tradition in this area and its government has declared tea cultivation a strategic priority.

Another proposal involves lemon cultivation, for which Aliyev may offer China the occupied territories of Artsakh, particularly the Aras Valley.

The lemon is of particular interest, as just days ago, its price surged unprecedentedly in the Russian market. Discussions have emerged about importing Chinese lemons as an alternative to Turkish ones.