MINSK, 25 March (BelTA) - China voted against the anti-Belarusian resolution at the UN platform, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong said as he spoke at a meeting with representatives of the Friendship Society Belarus-China, BelTA has learned.
The diplomat drew attention to the fact that at the UN Human Rights Council meeting held in Geneva on 24 March, China resolutely supported Belarus and opposed the adoption of various restrictive measures against Belarus. Ambassador Xie Xiaoyong assured that China intends to continue to support Belarus. "We oppose external interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Belarus and respect the path of development chosen by the country," he said.
The ambassador described the mutual support of Belarus and China as a very important component of the entire spectrum of the Belarusian-Chinese trust-based comprehensive strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation. In his opinion, the bilateral ties have been developing steadily throughout the period of diplomatic relations. "We cooperate in all areas with Belarusian friends. We treat each other as equals and support each other's fundamental interests. China supports Belarus in the international arena, your country supports China," Ambassador Xie Xiaoyong said.
According to him, political relations between the two countries are characterized by support and mutual trust. Economic relations have been growing, which is confirmed by the growth of mutual trade last year.
According to the Belarusian statistics, in 2020 China became the second largest trading partner of Belarus, with the mutual trade amounting to $4.6 billion, exceeding the 2019 figure by $0.8 million. The main growth drivers of Belarus' export to China were agricultural and timber products, the supplies of which doubled.
Despite the slump of business activities globally amid the coronavirus pandemic, Belarus and China saw bilateral trade growing on the back of rapidly growing sales of Belarusian products in the Chinese market, Ambassador Xie Xiaoyong stressed. He highly appraised Belarus-China investment cooperation and hailed achievements in public diplomacy, education, and culture.
Ambassador Xie Xiaoyong pointed out that Belarus and China helped each other fight the COVID-19 pandemic by sending humanitarian assistance during the most difficult periods. The ambassador also noted that in February China donated Belarus 100,000 doses of its COVID-19 vaccine. The batch of the vaccine was delivered to Belarus in furtherance of the agreements between the two heads of state. According to the diplomat, he was present during the first vaccinations with the Chinese vaccine in Belarus.
The 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China is an important milestone for China, the ambassador stressed and suggested organizing a seminar for experts in the House of Friendship to exchange opinions about the party's history and its role in the country's development.
Ambassador Xie Xiaoyong hailed the work of the China-Belarus friendship group, saying that it is a bridge of public democracy in the development of the Belarusian-Chinese cooperation. Deputy Chairwoman of the China-Belarus friendship group Alina Grishkevich briefed the ambassador about events held in the House of Friendship that are aimed at popularizing Chinese culture, history, and traditions.
During the meeting, Ambassador Xie Xiaoyong also answered questions about Belarus-China cooperation and its development prospects.
