China-Belarus relations have been developing remarkably thanks to joint efforts, thus laying a solid foundation for their cooperation in economic, trade, scientific, technological and military fields.
The remarks came Thursday from Belarus's ambassador to China Vladimir Rusakevich in an interview with Xinhua.
He said bilateral relations based on goodwill, equality and mutual benefit have gone well since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, adding that the two countries have had similar views and supported each other on many international issues.
He added that Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), is visiting Belarus at this moment, as a result, exchanges between parliaments of the two countries have been increased and areas of cooperation expanded.
In addition, Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao also paid a successful visit to Belarus not long ago, where leaders of the two countries discussed "bilateral relations and international issues of common concern" in a friendly, down-to-earth and constructive manner.
"Frequent contacts between leaders of the two countries have set the direction for bilateral economic and trade cooperation," he said.
According to the ambassador, bilateral trade exceeded 200 million U.S. dollars last year, an increase of 47 percent over a year ago. Two-way trade exceeded 110 million U.S. dollars in the first half of this year, 20.4 percent more than the same period last year.
Moreover, cooperation in scientific research, electronics, machinery and chemical industry has been fruitful, and the two countries have so far launched more than 40 projects. China has become an important trading partner with Belarus, he said.
Belarus business community has shown its interest in China's plans to fully develop its west, and the two sides are discussing the possibilities of cooperation in camion assembling, riverbed reinforcement, water conservation and highway construction, he said.
The ambassador also spoke highly of China's important role in the international arena, and expressed his appreciation for China's non-alliance policy, and its stance on advancing neighborliness and respect for other's choosing their own social system.
"The promotion of cooperation between China and developing countries will be conducive to establishing an international political and economic order of fairness and justice," he said.
He said he believes that there exists enormous potential for bilateral cooperation in business, trade, cultural, educational, press, tourism, sports and social security
(People’s Daily 09/07/2000)
