MINSK, 8 June (BelTA) – Belarus values and is proud of its relations with China, Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova said during a video conference with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Li Zhanshu, BelTA has learned.
“The Republic of Belarus values and is proud of its relations with such a great country as China. They have reached the level of strategic relations thanks to the friendship between Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party Xi Jinping and regular exchange of visits. We wish that our leaders could meet more often. We understand that nothing can replace face-to-face meetings. We believe that as soon as the opportunity presents, the heads of state will meet as good friends and the main advocates of closer relations between our countries,” Natalya Kochanova said.
According to her, Belarus learns a lot from China, whose authority and influence have been growing fast in the international arena. “Thanks to the all-weather nature of the Belarusian-Chinese relations, we are able to move towards creating ‘a community of common interests and a community of common fate', as Xi Jinping put it. We join efforts to respond to all risks and challenges, defend our sovereignty, security, and interests. During his meeting with MPs in the Oval Hall on 26 May, the Belarusian head of state spoke at length about the relations with China, which also confirms their importance,” Natalya Kochanova noted.
The parliaments of Belarus and China maintain an active dialogue, she pointed out. Meaningful ties between Belarusian and Chinese MPs are developing in the atmosphere of mutual respect and friendship and lay a reliable groundwork for a long-term partnership between the parliaments of the two countries. “The Council of the Republic is the chamber of territorial representation, which is why we see great prospects for strengthening direct ties between regions of Belarus and China as well as advancing cooperation between oblasts, provinces, and cities of the two countries. I am confident that out meeting will give an impetus to interactions between the parliaments of our countries for the benefit of the Belarusian and Chinese nations,” she believes.
Belarus sincerely welcomes the dynamic development of its ties with China in science, education, healthcare, and culture. “Cooperation in science and technology is very promising. We are keen to set up joint technological clusters and research centers as well as develop practical cooperation in knowledge-based economy with Chinese regions,” Natalya Kochanova said. “Belarus was one of the first countries to join the Belt and Road initiative and has actively participated in it. The development of this concept is assisted with the help of various scientific and humanitarian projects,” she added.
Our countries closely cooperate in healthcare, Natalya Kochanova stressed. “As the saying goes: a friend in need is a friend indeed. The coronavirus pandemic proved that our friendship is sincere. Belarus was one of the first countries to send humanitarian aid to China after the pandemic outbreak. We are grateful to our friends in China who sent us medical equipment, personal protective equipment, rapid tests, and a vaccine, when the pandemic hit Belarus,” she said. “The situation with COVID-19 in Belarus is stable and under control. Belarus is taking targeted measures to prevent the coronavirus spread, focusing on the most vulnerable groups of people. The relevant agencies of Belarus and China collaborate in responding to new risks and threats in the field of biological security. For example, joint screening of passengers of Minsk-Beijing flights to detect signs of the coronavirus. Twelve healthcare facilities across Belarus carry out vaccination of Chinese citizens and students,” Natalya Kochanova pointed out.
Belarus is eager to step up cooperation with China in the coronavirus response in the field of development and production of vaccines. Recently, the countries have agreed to draw up and sign a roadmap on bilateral cooperation in healthcare.
“I would also like to speak about the cooperation between the Belarusian Women's Union and the All-China Women's Federation. The organizations adhere to similar principles in their activities, which is why the cooperation has been developing successfully. They have mapped out a cooperation agreement and are set to sign it soon. We would also like to suggest holding roundtables and conferences to discuss international women's movement and women's political representation,” Natalya Kochanova said.
Work with the youth is also viewed as an important area. Establishing contacts between representatives of the Belarusian and Chinese youth organizations could promote interactions between the youth of the two countries.
“I would like to reiterate that Belarus is open to active cooperation in all fields. We are willing to consider all proposals to bolster the bilateral relations. China will always remain Belarus' close friend and partner. We are on the same page regarding key international problems. Both the countries champion the creation of a fair world order. Belarus and China have developed great political trust and have positive experience of cooperation at all levels. I am sure that our friendly relations and cooperation will continue thriving for the benefit of the two nations,” Natalya Kochanova believes.
