China May Not Get the Deepwater Port It Wanted, but Georgia Is Still in Play

Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, may have walked away from a lucrative port deal with a Chinese-led consortium, but it hasn’t walked away from Beijing. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, the highest-ranking Chinese official ever to visit Georgia, concluded a three-day visit on November 8, meeting with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and President Mikheil Kavelashvili. The visit underscores Tbilisi’s determination to expand Chinese involvement in strategic infrastructure and finance despite Washington’s objections, raising questions about Georgian Dream’s willingness to address U.S. concerns as it seeks to improve bilateral relations.

Han’s Visit Blends Investment and Political Support

During the talks, Kobakhidze called China “the only peaceful superpower” and proclaimed a “special bond” between the two nations based on shared values. He didn’t enunciate what those values are. Tbilisi is interested in deeper cooperation with Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, the prime minister said, as he portrayed Georgia as a bridge between Europe and Asia. Han pledged to oppose foreign interference in Georgia’s internal affairs and praised Tbilisi’s adherence to Beijing’s one-China principle, which holds that Taiwan is part of China. Beijing’s good graces offer valuable diplomatic cover to Georgian Dream, which has faced criticism from the West for its anti-democratic policies.

Kobakhidze promised favorable conditions for Chinese companies, while Han pledged to support more investment. Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili highlighted Anaklia’s role in the Middle Corridor connecting China and Europe. Officials also discussed transport infrastructure, bilateral trade (which is up 41 percent year over year), and Chinese investment, which totaled $236 million in the first half of 2026, Kvrivishvili said.

Tbilisi Keeps the Door Open at Anaklia

Tbilisi dropped plans for a Chinese company to develop Anaklia’s port because of objections from the United States. The proposed deepwater port on Georgia’s Black Sea coast could give the United States and Europe a route to Central Asia’s critical minerals that bypasses Russia and Iran. Instead, the country will retain ownership of core infrastructure while allowing private companies to invest in, and operate, terminals. The Georgian government still welcomes Chinese investment under the new arrangement, without regard for the port’s strategic importance to Washington.

Days before Han’s arrival, Kvrivishvili discussed Anaklia and railway modernization with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. Deputy Economy Minister Tamar Ioseliani also met Shanghai International Port Group executives to discuss port operations and the Middle Corridor. Chinese corporate working groups are also expected to visit Georgia to assess proposals in energy, manufacturing, and logistics.

Han’s visit followed new agreements expanding Georgia’s financial cooperation with China. Central Bank Governor Natia Turnava has also outlined plans to increase the yuan’s share of Georgia’s currency reserves from 5 percent to roughly 15 percent.

Washington Should Increase Pressure on Georgian Dream

In June, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that improving relations with Georgia would require changes in Tbilisi’s “behavior” and “trajectory.” That same month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation seeking an assessment of Chinese and Russian intelligence activities in Georgia. A U.S. delegation also called for more favorable conditions for American businesses. Yet rather than address Washington’s concerns, Kobakhidze is promising Chinese companies “every possible condition” to expand their presence in Georgia.

Georgian Dream’s actions hardly signal the change Washington seeks. On October 30, Kobakhidze reiterated that Tbilisi wants to restore the strategic partnership Washington suspended in November 2024. The United States should not grant Tbilisi a reset while its government deepens ties with Beijing and continues its democratic crackdown.

Washington has already sanctioned Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and Georgian security officials.  It should work with European allies to expand targeted sanctions against Georgian Dream officials and affiliated business figures responsible for repression and Georgia’s geopolitical realignment. Any warming should require concrete democratic reforms and an end to policies facilitating Chinese influence over Georgia’s strategic sectors.

Keti Korkiya is a research analyst in the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). For more analysis from Keti and FDD, please subscribe HERE. Follow FDD on X @FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focused on national security and foreign policy.