Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 13 October (BelTA) - The opening of the Consulate General in Guangzhou will give a new impetus to the Belarusian-Chinese relations, Andrei Grinkevich, the head of the Asia, Australia and Oceania department at the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said when speaking at the trade, economy and tourism conference of Guangdong Province and Minsk Oblast, BelTA has learned.

The intergovernmental agreement on opening the diplomatic mission in the capital of the south region of China was signed during Belarus President’s visit to China in September. “Such a move will have a positive impact on the establishment of direct contacts between the business communities of the two countries and will help increase mutual tourist flows,” Andrei Grinkevich.

Cooperation between the two countries has been developing rapidly. In 2015 the trade hit $3.2 billion, which was ten times more than ten years ago. China is Belarus’ third largest trading and economic partner. It ranks seventh in terms of Belarusian export, second in terms of import.

“The potential is much greater, and interregional interaction plays a pivotal role in this. All Belarusian regions have established partnerships with Chinese provinces,” Andrei Grinkevich said.

Guangdong Province is located in the south of the People's Republic of China and is the most economically advanced region of the country. Last year its gross domestic product totaled $1.17 trillion, which was one ninth of China’s GDP. The average GDP per capita exceeds $10,000. Cooperation of Guangdong Province and the Republic of Belarus in various fields has gained a good momentum. The trade rose from $160 million in 2011 to $340 million in 2015. In January-August this year the parties signed contracts worth $125 million, up 1.4 times as against a year earlier.

The delegation of Guangdong Province is visiting Minsk Oblast on 12-15 October. Attending the conference are over 160 companies from all districts of Minsk Oblast. The Chinese delegation is composed of representatives of more than 60 enterprises operating in electronics, construction, chemicals, food industry and other fields.