China and Georgia have upgraded their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.

"Declaration of enhanced partnership with China will not undermine Georgia's relationships with the United States and European Union if Georgia's strategic political and economic priorities will remain connected with the Western hemisphere in the future," President of the Baltic Security Foundation, Olevs Nikers told the Accent on Tuesday.

"The next steps towards China should be weighted more carefully", he added.

According to him, "Georgia now is saying, that relationships with China are important and they matter, but at the same time strict "red" lines should be drawn in the transactions with China in order to prevent PRC's control over the critical infrastructure objects or significant portions of Georgia's economy and finance."

"Also, Georgia's investment into China's capital markets should be considered very carefully taking into account human rights abuse and use of the slave labor by Chinese companies. If these and other aspects of Chinese operations will be properly taken into consideration and ruled out wisely, it will help to prevent all the negative side effects that partnerships with China can bring, and also relationships with the United States and European Union will remain in good shape," Nikers said.