16 October 2024, 16:27

Krutoi: Belarus-China cooperation agenda is extensive requiring constant attention

MINSK, 16 October (BelTA) – We have a huge agenda of comprehensive cooperation between Belarus and China that requires constant attention, Head of the Belarus President Administration Dmitry Krutoi said as he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan in Minsk on 16 October, BelTA has learned.

Dmitry Krutoi congratulated the Ambassador on the beginning of his diplomatic mission in Belarus and wished him every success in his activities for the benefit of the two countries.

"You can always count on full assistance and support from the Belarus President Administration regarding numerous Belarusian-Chinese projects," Dmitry Krutoi stressed. “Taking this opportunity, I would like to once again congratulate the entire Chinese people on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Under the leadership of the Communist Party, the country has achieved economic growth, social stability, and success in the fight against poverty. China's scientific and technological achievements show that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is indeed impressive. Our efforts to promote Belarusian-Chinese relations, our all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership should also make a contribution to your movement forward."

The head of the President Administration also thanked the CPC Central Committee and, in particular, the International Department, for organizing his visit to Beijing in September. "I am sure that the meetings that took place, meaningful conversations in all government bodies will also contribute to the further development of our ties," he said.

Dmitry Krutoi also confirmed invitations to member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Cai Qi and Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao to visit Belarus at any convenient time.

According to him, an agreement was reached to update a memorandum of cooperation between the Belarus President Administration and the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Dmitry Krutoi honed in on Belarus-China inter-regional cooperation. "At the August meeting with Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang, the president of Belarus invited heads of Chinese provinces to visit our country. We have experience of successful interaction with regions of the Russian Federation, and we are ready to do the same with Chinese provinces. We agreed in Beijing that we would select three cities and four provinces to exchange visits with and sign agreements on economic development zones. We will try to significantly ramp up cooperation by boosting regional contacts," Dmitry Krutoi emphasized.

The head of the Belarus President Administration believes that Belarusian institutions need to study the operation of Beijing’s service center Single Window 1,2,3,4,5. "Considering that the Belarus President Administration is responsible for processing appeals and complaints from the general public, your experience of using the most advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, neural networks in the work of this center would be very interesting to us," he said.

The parties also discussed forthcoming contacts between the leaders of the two countries. "Work is underway to arrange a number of visits to China and Belarus. A meeting may take place during the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan. You know that we intend to get the status of a BRICS partner country. The People's Republic of China supports us in this," Dmitry Krutoi informed.

Dmitry Krutoi praised the Belarusian-Chinese trade and economic interaction: "Traditionally, our agenda of economic cooperation is very extensive. We have reached a record high trade of over $8 billion. Last year's growth totalled almost 30%. We have a lot of joint projects: industrial park Great Stone, Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation (the project is in its third stage), a new potash enterprise. Soon we will open sports facilities built with technical and economic assistance of China: a national football stadium and a swimming pool that meets international standards."

He also emphasized that Belarus intends to join the global development initiatives of the Chinese president.

"The agenda of the Belarusian-Chinese cooperation is broad and requires constant attention and discussions," the head of the President Administration summarized, stressing once again the high level and scale of the cooperation between the countries.

"First of all, I would like to convey warm greetings and good wishes from Cai Qi and Liu Jianchao. I would also like to congratulate you on your successful visit to China in September, during which a lot of agreements were achieved," the Chinese ambassador noted.

"We know that you always supported China-Belarus friendship and cooperation for many years as you held different posts," Ambassador Zhang Wenchuan added. According to him, the Belarusian-Chinese relations are based on mutual trust and sincerity.