Ambassador: Belarus, China improve political relations, looking forward and supporting each other
The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has left for the People's Republic of China on a state visit, which will last until March 2nd
The visit will continue a long-term course of building friendship and mutually beneficial co-operation with the People's Republic of China. At a bilateral meeting on the side-lines of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit in September 2022, the leaders of Belarus and China adopted a joint declaration on bringing relations to a new level: all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the People's Republic of China, Yuri Senko, has commented on bilateral co-operation in various fields.
Why is China interesting to Belarus?
China is a growing global economy. It is increasing its production volumes and is economically connected with all countries. The Republic of Belarus is no exception: it has long turned to the countries of the so-called far arc, and it has been liaising with China very productively for many decades.
Over the past years, many serious projects have been launched in Belarus with participation of China, and they are already a locomotive of the economy. Among them is, for example, the Great Stone Industrial Park (the number of its residents has exceeded 100): it embraces the industries that are interesting not only to Belarus, but also far beyond its borders. As part of the President’s visit, meetings are planned with major Chinese businesses that are interested in entering the Great Stone with certain productions.
What economic effect can this visit produce?
More than two dozen agreements – that are to be signed – will bring an effect immediately, or produce a delayed effect. This will be related to the development of appropriate roadmaps and programmes for each agreement. I am convinced this will give a good, powerful impetus to bilateral relations in all spheres.
Last year, which was quite difficult from the point of view of the pandemic (China was closed, and business representatives communicated only in video format), had certain results: Belarus moved from 136th to 38th position in terms of export growth to China. This is a good indicator, and it indicates that China is interested in buying Belarusian products, and the country has worked out the appropriate mechanisms (accreditation) for sale on the Chinese market.
On mutual settlements in national currency
Many of our enterprises have switched to settlements with China in Yuans, and everyone uses the currency which is more convenient for them. There are not many difficulties for us with China in this matter [mutual settlements due to sanctions pressure]. The situation has stabilised, and we will polish this work in the near future.
On political co-operation
In the political aspect, Belarus and China are developing very actively. Last September, our leaders signed a joint declaration in Samarkand on bringing the countries’ relations to a new level: all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership. This is a very high level for China and Belarus.
Despite various sanctions [imposed by Western states against Belarus], China is a reliable partner, and the same can be said about Belarus. The countries are building and improving their political relations, looking only forward and supporting each other.
It is the first meeting of our leaders in China in 2023. Visits of Belarusian delegations of various levels are planned in the near future. They will focus on the development of the agreements reached during the state visit of the Head of State.
On peace initiatives of Belarus and China
The Head of State constantly emphasises that it is necessary to look for peaceful solutions to the Ukrainian crisis. The President stressed that China is a very serious player today, and it determines the policy of the world order – which should be. China is very interested in a peaceful solution to the conflict, and Belarus shares the same view. We believe that common sense should prevail. The world should listen to the statements of the two countries and hear the proposals aimed at resolving this conflict.
Facts and figures
Belarus and China established diplomatic relations on January 20th, 1992.
The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has visited China twelve times, and he has met with the current leader of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, 12 times at various venues. Representatives of China's top leadership have visited Belarus ten times since 1992.
China is the second trading partner for Belarus, behind Russia.
In 2022, trade turnover with China (including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) amounted to a record $5.8bn in ten years (113.6 percent against the level of 2021). Belarus’ exports to mainland China rose to $1.6bn (176.5 percent).
Currently, the Chinese side is working out industry export applications for the purchase of Belarusian products worth $2.2bn.
