The US State Department is releasing a statement in connection with the news that the Anaklia port in Georgia may be built by a Chinese state consortium.

“When doing business with entities of the People's Republic of China, it is important to conduct careful due diligence, consider potential impacts on critical infrastructure and sovereignty, and ensure fair and transparent economic relations that benefit Georgia,” the US State Department said in a statement.

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili noted that the announcement of the Chinese consortium as the winner of the Anaklia port project is the country’s biggest geopolitical failure and a step towards distancing itself from the West.

“The Chinese and the Russians today are one and the same, and their introduction into strategic assets is a fatal failure,” warns Saakashvili.

The former Minister of Defense of Georgia, now the chairman of the non-governmental organization “Civil Idea” Tina Khidasheli recalled that the Chinese consortium is under US sanctions and was blacklisted by the World Bank.

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze called the opposition's statements regarding the Chinese company that will build the port of Anaklia speculation. “At the moment, this is one of the largest Chinese companies with the most experience, including in projects of this type,” Kobakhidze noted.