Anatoly D. Kharlap took office as Belarus' third ambassador to China in June this year. In an exclusive interview with China.org.cn, he stated that China has always been a faithful friend to his country.

Since the two nations established formal diplomatic ties in 1992, relations have developed rapidly in politics, trade, science and technology, culture and education. China has become an important political and economic partner of Belarus in Asia and the two countries are cooperating extensively in a variety of areas.

In recent years, the two countries' leaders have exchanged frequent visits. Both China's former President Jiang Zemin and incumbent President Hu Jintao have paid state visits to Belarus. A number of other top-ranking central government leaders have visited the country as well, said Kharlap.

In return, he said, Belarus President Alexander G. Lukashenko has visited China three times, most recently in April 2001.

The Sino-Belarus Joint Statement, which was signed in April 2002, set the tone for the two countries' relations: "a comprehensive friendly and cooperative relationship based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, mutual trust and collaboration."

Kharlap noted that a strong political relationship lends momentum to the development of positive economic and trade relations with other countries. From 1995 to 2003, trade between Belarus and China octupled. Exports to China grew tenfold while imports nearly quadrupled.

Last year, bilateral trade was valued at US$234 million, with exports to China rising to US$162 million and imports coming in at US$71 million.

The main export products from Belarus to China are potash fertilizer, metallurgical products, electronic integrated circuits, semiconductor devices and optical goods. From China, the country primarily imports communication facilities, wireless communication and TV sets, industrial chemicals, medicines and medicinal materials, farm produce, marine products, tobacco leaves and textiles.

The two countries established an economic and trade cooperation committee to deal with related issues. This year's regular meeting will be held in Beijing, said Kharlap.

Belarus was one of the most developed republics under the former USSR, and it has adapted well to the changed economic environment. Highly centralized distribution of industry and a large number of highly qualified professionals are key factors enabling Belarus to take its place as a leading exporter of high-tech products.

Belarus seeks more Chinese capital investment in joint and cooperative projects.

On the cultural front, said Kharlap, mutually beneficial exchanges have been plentiful.

Since 1999, for example, the two countries have held alternating annual celebrations of each other's cultural days. The November 2003 Belarusian Cultural Day events included performances by the Zhinovich Belarus State Academic National Orchestra in Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an. Chinese artists will perform in Belarus in the second half of 2004.

Since 1992, the governments of Belarus and China have signed several important scientific and technological cooperation agreements. The two countries have conducted research into more than 500 draft cooperation projects, covering a wide range of fields including machine manufacturing, electronics, astronautics, chemistry, new materials, agriculture, geology, biotechnology, instrument manufacturing, medicine and ecology. So far, 200 of these projects have been carried out.

A scientific cooperation zone has been built in east China's Shandong Province and an industrial technology cooperation center for China, Russia and Belarus was opened in the northeastern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. Henan Province and Belarus are also jointly operating a scientific and technological cooperation center.

Moreover, the Belarus National Committee of Science and Technology has signed a series of cooperation agreements with the science and technology committees of several Chinese cities, provinces and autonomous regions.

The China-Belarus Cooperation Committee for Science and Technology will hold its regular meeting in Minsk in October.

On July 8 and 9 this year, Chinese Academy of Sciences President Lu Yongxiang led a delegation of top scientists to Belarus, where they were offered a number of new agreements and draft cooperation plans.

Kharlap views his most important task as promoting the positive development of the two countries' relationship in all areas.

On a personal level, he said, he looks forward to learning more about the great Chinese people and nation's splendid culture and history.

(China.org.cn, by staff reporter Li Tao, July 21, 2004)