Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 12 July (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has set the task to take the relations between Belarus and China to a qualitatively new level. The head of state gave relevant instructions on 12 July as he appointed Kirill Rudy to the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the People’s Republic of China, BelTA has learned.

“We need a breakthrough in our relations. We need to not just take the relations with the People’s Republic of China to the next level, but shift them into a new orbit. You see that they are ready for this. I see that they walk in our direction with an open heart. I have very close, friendly relations with China’s leadership, with the past one and especially with the incumbent head of state,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader emphasized that the Belarusian side should be ready to make prompt use of the opportunities opening up in the bilateral cooperation. “You should make sure that the most daring initiatives in the Belarus-China relations get implemented,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

“They will always remember about us and make decisions, if we make targeted efforts in the right direction. Then we will arrive at a result. If we do it as usual, we will get the usual result. But you understand that I will not tolerate lack of effort either from the embassy, or from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is our future, if we have such relations with China. You can feel and realize the burden of responsibility on your shoulders,” the Belarusian leader said addressing Kirill Rudy.

The head of state also gave instructions regarding the preparation of the forthcoming state visit to China, which is expected to take place in late September 2016. When talking to the media, Kirill Rudy noted that this work would be among his first steps in the new post. “It is necessary to make the program of the visit as saturated as possible, to make sure that the agreements that will be reached during the visit become a real roadmap for the next several years and bring results for both Belarus and China,” he said.

Kirill Rudy also emphasized that it is a great responsibility and honor to serve as Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. “Of course, all kinds of tools will be used to make a breakthrough in the bilateral relations. China is a rapidly developing country. It is a world power,” he noted.

Among the priorities, Kirill Rudy named trade and economic cooperation, including cooperation within the Silk Road Economic Zone, major investment projects, the development of the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park and also regional cooperation.