Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 4 May (BelTA) – The press tour of representatives of Chinese central and regional mass media to Belarus and their meeting with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko are historic events, BelTA learned Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Belarus Cui Qiming on 4 May.

“These events are of historic importance. They took place for the first time in 25 years of Belarus-China diplomatic relations. Your country has invited over 40 journalists from different regions. They asked the president questions about Belarus-China relations and about how we will build the Silk Road Economic Belt,” ambassador Cui Qiming noted.

The diplomat views the press tour of Chinese journalists to Belarus and their meeting with Alexander Lukashenko as important steps in Belarus-China bilateral cooperation. The journalists have visited the country for the first time and got acquainted with its culture, traditions, manufacturing potential, learned more about Belarus’ foreign relations and internal affairs.

The meeting with Alexander Lukashenko took place at the Palace of Independence. It was attended by 40 journalists from the biggest Chinese mass media outlets, including the Chinese news agency Xinhua, newspapers People's Daily and China Daily, China Central Television, other print, electronic, and TV media resources.

The head of state spoke in detail about the progress in Belarus-China relations, joint projects, and prospects of cooperation in various fields. Special attention was drawn to bolstering interregional ties and Belarus’ participation in the Silk Road Economic Belt. Alexander Lukashenko answered questions about his personal relations with the Chinese president and the upcoming visit to One Belt, One Road summit in Beijing.

The first large-scale press tour of Chinese journalists representing ten provinces to Belarus takes place on 1-7 May. Chinese reporters have already visited the memorial complex Mound of Glory, manufacturing enterprises BelGee and BelAZ, the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park Great Stone, the High-Tech Park, enterprises Ozeritsky-Agro and Babushkina Krynka, other well-known Belarusian enterprises. After the meeting with Alexander Lukashenko the Chinese journalists plan to visit other cultural and social facilities.