New era of Belarus-China partnership: Lukashenko and Xi Jinping signed joint declaration
Following official talks in Beijing, Belarus’ President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Chinese President Xi Jinping adopted a joint statement on further development of exemplary relations of Belarus-China all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership in a new era, BelTA reports
The two state leaders held talks in a warm and friendly atmosphere, exchanging views on a whole range of Belarusian-Chinese co-operation, as well as issues on the international and regional agenda of mutual interest.
The parties agreed that raising the status of bilateral relations to the level of all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership, jointly announced by the leaders of the two countries on September 15th, 2022 in Samarkand, is a landmark event. "Bilateral relations have made a historic leap forward and have become a model of a new type of international relations. Taking into account a high level of co-operation between the states, as well as in order to improve the welfare of the two countries and their peoples, the parties agreed to further develop their all–weather and comprehensive partnership in a new era," the document reads.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACHIEVEMENTS
The Belarusian side highly appreciates China's significant achievements in economic and social development over the past decade, and it wishes the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, success in their comprehensive building of a socialist modernised state, achieving the goals set for the centenary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
In turn, China highly appreciates the significant achievements of Belarus in national development and construction after the declaration of independence, it respects the path of development chosen by the Belarusian people in accordance with their national interests, and reiterates its support for the politics and measures implemented by the leadership of Belarus and its Government in order to maintain stability and development of the state.
MAJOR INTERESTS
The parties stressed that mutual firm support on issues affecting each other's main interests is the cornerstone of the Belarusian-Chinese relations’ stable development. Belarus fully adheres to the one-China principle, supports the position on the protection of national security and territorial integrity, ensuring the rights of citizens.
In turn, China supports Belarus' efforts to preserve political stability and economic development, and opposes any outside interference in Belarus' internal affairs under any pretext.
The document reads that applying double standards in matters of democracy and human rights, as well as interference in the internal affairs of other states under this pretext are inadmissible.
The parties stressed the importance of consolidating efforts to counter illegal unilateral coercive measures and pressure on sovereign and independent states.
EXPANSION OF DIRECT CONNECTIONS
Belarus and China agreed to continue to make full use of a common co-ordinating role of the Belarusian-Chinese intergovernmental co-operation committee. Its fifth meeting is scheduled for 2023.
The parties also welcome the expansion of direct ties between the two states’ ministries and departments in order to promptly resolve topical issues of bilateral co-operation.
COMPREHENSIVE CO-OPERATION
The parties are making joint efforts to deepen comprehensive co-operation within the One Belt, One Road initiative. They will continue to facilitate trade procedures between the two countries, unlock the potential of transit traffic, including along the China-Europe railway route, and steadily increase the volume of bilateral trade. An agreement was reached to continuously expand mutual investments and promote co-operation between business circles and financial institutions.
In particular, the increase in the use of national currencies in bilateral co-operation in trade, investment and financial fields was in focus.
The priority areas of co-operation include the expansion of mutual direct investments, the creation of joint high-tech innovative industries, the development of joint businesses between business entities of the two countries, and the promotion of entrepreneurial initiative.
Support was announced for the supply of high-quality agricultural products from Belarus and China to each other's markets.
The parties will also jointly promote the qualitative development of the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park. The Chinese side encourages large Chinese manufacturing and high-tech enterprises to come to the park as residents.
Belarus and China declared their readiness to develop co-operation in the field of e-commerce and digital economy.
Support was announced for the extension of the Year of the Regions of Belarus and China for 2023. The parties welcome Belarus' in-depth trade and economic co-operation with Chinese cities – in particular, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Qingdao.
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
Belarus and China will take steps to strengthen transport and logistics ties and accelerate the processing of transported goods. The parties will encourage their airlines to increase the number of direct flights from Belarus to China in a timely manner in accordance with market principles.
SCI-TECH CO-OPERATION
An intention was announced to encourage the creation of joint research centres, laboratories and other platforms, to increase funding for projects within the framework of sci-tech co-operation and to promote joint research and development of new technologies, including in the field of AI and 5G.
Joint research and innovation activities are the priority measures for the development of co-operation in the field of innovation. The parties support the creation of joint centres and enterprises designed to commercialise the two states’ sci-tech achievements.
Expansion of expert-analytical co-operation in various formats was also discussed.
DEFENCE AND SECURITY
According to the joint statement, the parties will strengthen co-operation in the defence, law enforcement and security spheres, deepen co-operation, including in the field of training military personnel, jointly fight against transnational and terrorist crime and terrorism, conduct joint preventive fight against colour revolutions.
Belarus and China also intend to strengthen exchange and co-operation in the field of disaster prevention and mitigation.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Belarus and China are ready to intensify co-operation in the field of green, low-carbon and sustainable development, jointly promote harmony between man and nature.
The parties intend to strengthen liaisons in the creation of statistical accounting and control systems for greenhouse gas emissions, the establishment of a greenhouse gas emissions market, the promotion of adaptation to climate change, and the implementation of green financing.
HUMANITARIAN ASPECT
Belarus and China declared their readiness to further intensify cultural and humanitarian exchanges and expand practical co-operation in the fields of culture, tourism, sports, cinema, TV, mass media, and others.
The support of the two states’ youth in learning each other's national languages and expanding co-operation in the field of language teaching will continue. The parties will make efforts to establish a regional centre for Chinese studies in Belarus.
VALUES OF PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT
The statement reads that the Belarusian side supports the common values of peace, development, equality, justice, democracy and freedom proposed by China to all mankind. The parties will jointly support the international system, the core of which is the United Nations, and adhere to the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Belarus and China strongly oppose any manifestations of hegemonism and the policy of brute force, including illegitimate unilateral sanctions and coercive measures.
The parties strongly condemn any alternative international rules, procedures and mechanisms that undermine the fundamental provisions of the UN Charter. In addition, the intention to provide mutual support in mitigating the negative consequences of the use of illegal unilateral coercive measures is confirmed.
Deep concern about the development of the armed conflict in the European region and extreme interest in the early establishment of peace in Ukraine were stated. Belarus and China are interested in preventing the escalation of the crisis and are ready to make efforts to restore regional peace and order.
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
Belarus supports China's proposed new development concept based on innovation, co-ordination, eco-friendly approaches, openness and sharing, as well as China's global development initiative.
In turn, China highly appreciates Belarus' participation in the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. The parties believe that development is an important driving force for ensuring the prosperity of all countries, and agree to further strengthen co-operation in key areas within the framework of the Global Development Initiative to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Belarus also supported the global security initiative proposed by China. The states agreed to strengthen co-operation within its framework and to jointly confront global challenges – such as terrorism, climate change, cyber- and biosecurity.
ACCELERATION IN SHANGHAI CO-OPERATION ORGANISATION
As noted in the document, the parties will continue their comprehensive co-operation as part of multilateral structures – such as the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.
China supports Belarus' accelerated entry into the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation as a full member.
