Opinions & Interviews

“Belarus and China established their diplomatic relations on 20 January 1992. Over the past 25 years, our countries have been providing each other with mutual assistance and support in protecting the national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, in developing the economy and improving the quality of life of the Belarusian and Chinese people, and in promoting international justice and peace in the world. China and Belarus are really close friends and sincere partners always ready to help each other,” the diplomat noted.

Cui Qiming pointed out that the number of mutual visits is now higher than ever before. The cooperation has never been so strong.

The diplomat believes that the China-Belarus relations serve as a model of good interstate relations in the present-day world.

Cui Qiming mentioned some of the most important milestones and achievements of the 25-year-long history of the diplomatic relations. The high level of mutual political trust is one of them. “The two countries maintain close ties, and the cooperation mechanism is constantly improved. In their relations, Belarus and China strictly follow the principles of equality and sovereignty,” the Chinese diplomat stressed.

He emphasized that in July 2013, China President Xi Jinping and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko raised the level of bilateral relations to all-round strategic partnership, which ushered in a new era of cooperation.

Cui Qiming also noted that President Xi Jinping paid a landmark visit to Belarus in 2015. The leaders of the two countries strengthened and expanded the Chinese-Belarusian relations and the all-round strategic partnership. The heads of state mapped out long-range plans and signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation between China and Belarus.

“Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko visited China in 2016. The leaders of the two countries established relations of trust-based all-round strategic partnership and mutual cooperation, agreed to develop their ‘all-weather’ friendship, work together to promote common interests and expand the scope of the relations,” Cui Qiming said.

The diplomat pointed out that “China is now Belarus’ third largest trading partner, and the structure of the bilateral trade is constantly improved.” Belarus and China successfully implement projects in such areas as power engineering, electrification of railroads, road reconstruction, production of concrete, assembly of vehicles, and trade in different goods.

Cui Qiming paid special attention to the project to build the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone. He added that the cooperation between the regions of the two countries is growing stronger. Many Chinese provinces have established friendship or twinning ties with Belarusian regions and drawn up a roadmap for the China-Belarus regional cooperation. The ambassador believes that the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt opens up new great opportunities for the bilateral cooperation.

Cui Qiming also stressed the importance of cultural, educational and humanitarian projects between Belarus and China. For instance, the two countries have their culture centers in Minsk and Beijing.