China will provide Belarus with 10 million RMB yuan (US$1.21 million) in aid under an agreement reached between the two countries in Minsk, capital of Belarus, on Wednesday.  

Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Yu Zhenqi told reporters after the signing ceremony of the agreement that the Chinese government always attaches great importance to its friendly and cooperative relations with Belarus and has offered a total of 77.5 million yuan (US$9.38 million) in aid to Belarus since the two countries established full diplomatic ties, reports reaching here from Minsk said.

All the aid is a symbol of the Chinese people's profound traditional friendship toward Belarussians and also a manifestation of the profound friendly relations between the two countries, the Chinese ambassador added.

A senior Belarussian diplomat said his country cherishes the friendship with China and thanks China for its friendly support and generous aid to his country over the past years. He hoped that the excellent ties between the two countries will move forward smoothly in the new year.

(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2004)