Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 6 April (BelTA) – The Chinese defense minister’s visit will contribute to further enhancement of partnership relations, friendship and mutual understanding between the Belarusian army and the Chinese one. Belarusian Defense Minister Andrei Ravkov made the relevant statement as he met with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe on 6 April, BelTA has learned.

Andrei Ravkov welcomed Wei Fenghe and the Chinese delegation, congratulated Wei Fenghe on getting appointed the Chinese defense minister and wished him every success in his new office. Belarus is one of the first countries Wei Fenghe has visited in the capacity of the Chinese defense minister. “It testifies to the intention of the People’s Republic of China to advance cooperation between our countries and armed forces. I am genuinely convinced that the visit will contribute to further enhancement of partnership relations, friendship, and mutual understanding between the Armed Forces of Belarus and the People’s Liberation Army of China,” said the Belarusian defense minister.

“The format of the meeting allows us to exchange opinions about the state of Belarus-China cooperation at the state level and in the military sphere. It also allows outlining prospects of future advancement of mutual relations between our countries,” added Andrei Ravkov.

The Belarusian defense minister said that cooperation with China is a most important priority in Belarus’ foreign policy. “Friendly relations between our heads of state, their wise leadership represent a reliable foundation for bilateral cooperation between us. Over the course of 26 years since the diplomatic relations between our countries were established, considerable accomplishments have been secured. Belarus and China have managed to build relations of trustful, comprehensive strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation,” stressed the Belarusian defense minister. “In conditions of the rapidly changing global political situation such relations can be called an example for many countries to follow. Our countries closely cooperate, work together to advance the establishment of the Silk Road Economic Belt, thus opening up new broad prospects for Belarusian-Chinese cooperation.”

In turn, Wei Fenghe congratulated the Belarusian side on the 100^th anniversary of the Armed Forces. He noted the professionalism of Belarusian military and the hospitality of the country. “I’ve chosen your country for my first foreign visit because of that. It testifies to the strong friendship between the armed forces of our countries,” said the Chinese defense minister. He added that the work to advance relations between the two armies would continue.

Member of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese Defense Minister, Colonel-General Wei Fenghe is in Belarus on a visit on 5-8 April. His meetings with top-ranking officers of the Belarusian Defense Ministry are expected to focus on topical aspects of further development of the bilateral military cooperation in the field of joint combat training, military education, and interaction within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.