Course on further consolidation of friendship and cooperation: President of Belarus pays state visit to the People's Republic of China

The course towards further strengthening of friendship and cooperation. Today, the state visit of the President of Belarus to the People's Republic of China has begun.

In the language of diplomacy, this is the highest protocol status of the visit. Forge No. 1 has already landed at Beijing airport. The heads of state will hold both narrow and extended talks. On the agenda is the development of cooperation in various areas, implementation of joint projects and interaction in the political sphere.

Minsk - Beijing: all-weather and all-round strategic partnership

This will be the thirteenth meeting between Alexander Lukashenko and Xi Jinping. The leaders have met seven times during the visits of the Belarusian President to the PRC. Following the results of the last one, in Samarkand, last year the bilateral relations between Minsk and Beijing reached a new level - an all-weather and all-round strategic partnership (this is the highest level of trust, which few people in the world are awarded by China). Belarus and China have been following the path of strengthening cooperation for a long time.

Minsk-Beijing: joint projects

In the last decade, the two countries have been linked by big projects, real economic engines. One of the most successful ones is the Great Stone Industrial Park, where high-tech products are produced. It has become a magnet for investment from all over the world. The interest in this site did not decrease even during the pandemic.

In an interview with major Chinese media, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized its importance for our countries and assured that the Great Stone has a great future.

"The Great Stone. We are expecting more residents from the PRC, high-tech residents, enterprises here," said Alexander Lukashenko. - Last year, 19 enterprises came to Great Stone, half of them, I think, were Chinese. We are expecting the same influx of Chinese capital into Belarus and, in particular, into the Great Stone. It is very beneficial for China. For China, Belarus is now the only friendly, one might say, fraternal platform in the center of Europe. If China needs it, then, please, we are open to it."

Minsk and Beijing reache a record trade turnover last year

When it comes to trade, China is traditionally one of our top three partners. And the mutual trade turnover is on the rise: last year it added another 13%. As a result, Minsk and Beijing traded for almost $6 billion. The openness of our economies and open-mindedness of our politicians fuel mutual interest. A new level of partnership is already producing a visible effect.