MINSK, 24 December (BelTA) – Belarus and China are advancing to a new stage in bilateral cooperation, Qian Hongshan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said addressing an event in the House of Friendship in Minsk on 23 December. The Chinese official was on a visit to Belarus on 21-23 December, BelTA has learned.
Qian Hongshan emphasized that this is his first visit to Belarus and he received a warm welcome here. The representative of the CPC Central Committee said that relations between Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are just as friendly and cordial. Such relations are a good foundation for promoting bilateral cooperation across a broad range of areas.
“China is ready to exchange best practices in public administration and other fields of expertise with Belarus. Belarus was among the first states to support the Belt and Road initiative and is now actively involved in its implementation. The China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone became an important milestone in delivering this project.
Qian Hongshan unveiled China's development plans and the country's vision of the future of the China-specific socialist system. The path chosen by China is bearing fruit on the international arena. “In the years to come China is set to deepen trade, investment and interregional cooperation with its partners, including Belarus,” he assured.
Chairwoman of the Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Ties with Foreight Countries Nina Ivanova noted that in recent years Belarusians have been showing an increasing interest in China and following developments in this country. The Fourth Plenum of the Nineteenth CPC Congress became a momentous political event as Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's commitment to openness and dialogue on the international arena. The visit of the CPC Central Committee delegation to Belarus is part of this policy. Nina Ivanova expressed confidence that the discussion of new themes of Belarus-China cooperation will lay a solid groundwork for delivering the agreements reached by the heads of state.
Deputy Chair of the Belarus-China Friendship Society Alina Grishkevich emphasized an important role of public diplomacy in fostering Belarus-China cooperation. The House of Friendship hosts numerous events aimed at improving trust and mutual understanding between the two nations. Many meetings are timed to key events in China, like the decisions of the Nineteenth CPC Congress, the 40th anniversary of the policy of reforms and openness and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China.
Speaking at the meeting were also renowned scholars and political analysts who welcomed progress in China's development and in Belarus-China cooperation. The delegation of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China also held talks with senior executives of the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research (BISR) to review the results of the Fourth Plenum and a possibility to exchange best practices in various fields.
Taking part in the events were also Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Belarus Cui Qiming, representatives of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, scholars and artists, business people, heads of public associations, activists of the Belarus-China Friendship Society, leaders of the Communist Party of Belarus and university heads.
