Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has strongly defended Georgia’s deepening relationship with China, dismissing recent U.S. congressional criticism as unfounded and slanderous.

“Georgia will do everything possible to further strengthen these relations with China,” Kaladze said, responding to the upcoming U.S. Helsinki Commission hearing that will feature former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, former Defense Minister Tinatin Khidasheli, and foreign policy expert Luke Coffey as witnesses.

The Commission’s announcement expressed concern over Georgia’s political trajectory, stating: “Georgia was once a core U.S. partner and a beacon of freedom in the Caucasus. Today, the ruling Georgian Dream party is dragging the country back into Russia’s orbit and deepening their relationship with China and other U.S. adversaries.”

Kaladze pushed back sharply: “Some statements from specific congressmen are based on falsehoods and contain slander. The whole of Georgia knows who these people are, what they represent, and who they are fighting against.”

Highlighting the global relevance of relations with China, Kaladze emphasized that many countries seek friendly ties with Beijing and that Georgia should seize the economic opportunities such partnerships offer.

He also referenced a recent letter from President Zourabichvili, calling it a reflection of Georgia’s aspirations: “to start relations from a new page.”