Expert: Belarusian-Chinese ties built on mutually beneficial co-operation
Belarus and China have built mutually beneficial and mutually complementary co-operation, and it makes the countries stronger – as noted by political expert Vadim Borovik in his talk with Alfa Radio
On October 31st, Belarus’ First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov held a meeting with the Secretary of the Xi’an Municipal Party Committee of the Communist Party of China, Fang Hongwei, at the Council of Ministers. He noted then that – following the end of difficult times associated with overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic – the moment has come when the restrictions are in the past, and it is possible to interact in person for effective co-operation and implementation of the tasks set by the leaders of the two states to the governments.
“Our position has always been constructive: respect for mutual interests, as well as trade and economic co-operation,” Mr. Borovik noted. “We have never gone to anyone with an intention to make money on them. Let’s make money together, working on joint projects. We have enjoyed good relations with the People's Republic of China since 1992, and our Head State has been to China more than ten times. Senior officials and several leaders of the People's Republic of China have visited Belarus as well. We have normal pragmatic relations, in which China behaves very delicately.”
The expert added that China has never interfered in Belarus’ internal politics, “For our part, even in those aspects where the international community speculates, we behave very delicately – not meddling into China's internal affairs. We emphasise respect for the sovereign interests of the People's Republic of China, its domestic and foreign policy. Moreover, our views on the world largely coincide in the external arena. We focus on trade and economic mutually beneficial relations, and we steadily register an annual growth. We see the growth of investments of the People's Republic of China in Belarus, the development of the Great Stone and projects that are being implemented within the framework of this park – not to mention the One Belt, One Road initiative, in which we play an important role. Even despite the sanctions, this project will continue working. We will maximise trade and economic relations with China. Therefore, in no case will our relationship be curtailed. There are no prerequisites for that. Moreover, our relations are mutually beneficial.”
Mr. Borovik explained, “This is obviously beneficial for us, since a sanctions policy is being implemented against us, the People's Republic of China provided us with a credit line on quite acceptable terms in the past. Technical co-operation is also developing. For China, relations with our country are also beneficial. Belarus’ citizens are highly qualified, and the country fulfils all its obligations in a timely and responsible manner. This is mutually beneficial and mutually complementary co-operation that makes our countries stronger.”
