Belarus, China intent on advancing cooperation across the board

MINSK, 21 March (BelTA) – Belarus and China are intent on advancing bilateral interaction in all areas, BelTA learned from Belarusian Deputy Economy Minister Alesya Abramenko in an interview.

Alesya Abramenko said: “Belarus and China have reached a new stage of cooperation by upgrading the level of relations to all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership. This step confirms common intentions to advance bilateral interaction in all areas.”

In her words, China is Belarus' most important strategic partner. In 2022 Belarus-China trade reached $5.8 billion, with export at $1.6 billion. The number of Belarusian companies certified for operation on the Chinese market is on the rise.

“The economic content of the state visit to China, the signed package of documents testify that both China and Belarus strive for openness and for stepping up trade and economic cooperation,” the official stressed.

Strengthening interregional interaction is in focus: an extension of the Year of Regions of Belarus and China has been declared. “The relevant action plan contains over 80 bilateral arrangements and initiatives. Essentially it is the foundation for realizing the Belarus president's directive on raising at least $150 million in direct Chinese investments in every oblast and the city of Minsk by 2026,” the deputy economy minister noted.

During the latest state visit of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko to China the Belarusian Economy Ministry and the Chinese Commerce Ministry signed an agreement on advancing cooperation between regions of Belarus and the People's Republic of China. “The document stipulates priority avenues of trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and the cities of Tianjin, Qingdao, and Chongqing – major economic and logistic hubs of China,” Alesya Abramenko added.