Alexander Lukashenko receives Chinese Vice-President at his countryside residence

28 мая 2018

By Andrey Krivosheev: The Vice President of the People's Republic of China is paying an official visit to Belarus these days. Today, the President of Belarus hosted Wang Qishan at his countryside residence, which testifies to the friendly character of the Belarusian- Chinese relations. Also, what makes this visit special is that Belarus became the first foreign official visit for Wang Qishan in his current position.

Yesterday, the two leaders had already discussed the joint economic strategies and projects in detail. The trade turnover is steadily growing by the year. As of 2017, it exceeded 3 billion dollars. This figure can be still bigger if the two countries use container railway routes and promote Belarusian exports directly – for example, at the China International Exhibition in Shanghai scheduled for November. Thematic events and years help as well. For example, the year 2018 is the Year of Tourism of Belarus in China. Belarus offers to declare the next one the Year of Education. At the same time, the Prime Minister is convinced of the innovative and investment approach that has proven itself.

Andrei Kobyakov, the Prime Minister of Belarus: "Back in 2013, the Great Stone Industrial Park existed only on paper. By now, it has turned into a real pearl of the new Silk Road. Belarus and China are gradually moving from credit cooperation to investment. There are a number of projects, and we need to speed up their implementation to start working in new directions."

Wang Qishan, the Vice President of the People's Republic of China: "President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the friendship between China and Belarus, and he recommended that I choose your country for my first official foreign visit in my current position. I am confident that all our agreements will be implemented."

The visit of the Chinese Vice-President is especially important ahead of the large-scale SCO summit in Qingdao. Belarusian initiatives will be voiced at the talks – for example, the experience of the Great Stone industrial park. A year ago, at the summit in Beijing, the park was called a model to follow and worthy of imitation on the whole space of Eurasia – from Shanghai to Lisbon. Yesterday, visiting the park near Minsk, Wang Qishan noted there are many industrial parks in China, but China has only one in the world. If it is successful in Belarus, it will achieve success everywhere.

Following the same plan and coordinating the positions, in 2 weeks Belarus can find support for new projects in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as well. This vastly increases the return on investments. New projects are discussed, the reputation of the country in the world is growing and so is its importance in regional and world politics.