China sees Belarus as “key platform for large-scale projects”

Belarus and China seek to double mutual trade, Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, said during his meeting with Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, on May 10, in Minsk.

“The new package of agreements will provide a powerful impetus for our cooperation in various fields, first of all, in construction and modernization of the infrastructures in Belarus, as well as inter-bank cooperation, technical and economic, credit and investments cooperation,” he said. The documents look to double mutual trade, exchange of technologies, boost research and technical innovations and strengthen ties in the military-technical field.

“The two countries have reached a new level of participatory development that implies a shift from the credit to the investment cooperation,” Lukashenko said. According to him, Minsk supports the idea of Silk Road Economic Belt and the Sea Silk Road of the 21st century. “I am sure Belarus will become the key platform in implementation of these large-scale projects in the Eurasian region,” Lukashenko said.
He recalled that Belarus is criticized for its certain stands and even warned against isolation. “However, isolation is impossible if the country has good friendly relations with China,” Lukashenko said.

Xi Jinping, in turn, called Lukashenko as “a big friend of China” saying his visit will help enhance the bilateral relations. The Chinese leader highly appreciated Minsk’s efforts towards settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. He recalled the Minsk platform of the negotiations and the two Minsk agreements on the ceasefire that received a high international appraisal.

Lukashenko said the Chinese president arrived in Belarus “in the acute period of development of the region and the country, ahead of the presidential elections (in November - EADaily ’s note). We highly appreciate this,” Lukashenko said. He assured his Chinese counterpart that the elections will be held at a proper level and China will not be disappointed at its cooperation with Belarus.