Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 15 April (BelTA) – China appreciates Belarus’ efforts to promote sustainable development of Chernobyl-affected territories, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Belarus Cui Qiming said at the event timed to the 30^th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident on 15 April, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus was the worst-hit county after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. 70% of radioactive dust fell here, 43,000 square meters of land were polluted, 20% of arable land fell out of agricultural use, people were evacuated from many villages and towns. Thirty years have passed, but the tragic events arise in our minds, the negative consequences of the disaster have not been surmounted so far,” the diplomat said.

Cui Qiming said that the Belarusian nation has done a lot to minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl tragedy and to clean up radioactive pollution. “Belarus is now demonstrating accord, stability and peace to the whole world. The government has recently adopted the state program to overcome the consequences of the Chernobyl accident for the period till 2020. This program testifies to the huge attention to this issue on behalf of the state,” the Ambassador of China said.

The Chinese government and people have recently joined efforts with the Belarusian nation to minimize the Chernobyl consequences, the diplomat said. “The Chinese government still provides assistance in the minimization of the consequences of this accident. In this context, the Embassy of China in Belarus closely cooperates with the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry, the Belarusian public organization Disabled People of Chernobyl, the Belarusian research center of children’s oncology, hematology, and immunology, the children’s center of medical rehabilitation, and other children’s recuperation facilities,” Cui Qiming said.

He also remarked that the all-round relations between the two countries have been increasingly vibrant for 24 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations. In May 2015, President of the People’s Republic of China paid a very productive visit to Belarus. It gave a new impetus to the development of bilateral cooperation and advanced it to a higher level. The heads of state signed a number of documents and thus reaffirmed the interest in the enhancement of mutually beneficial ties.

The event held at the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts was attended by about 40 representatives of the Oktyabrsky District of Minsk and former Chernobyl clean up workers. They were awarded anniversary presents. The participants of the forum watched a film dedicated to the 30^th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident.

The event was organized by the Oktyabrsky District Administration, the Belarusian public organization Disabled People of Chernobyl with the assistance of the Chinese Embassy in Belarus.