Aleksandr Lukashenko greets to Hu Jintao on 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations

President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has sent greetings to President of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao and his people on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and China.

"Strengthening multi-faceted ties with Great China is one of Belarus' foreign policy priorities. Over two decades we have built close strategic partnership on the basis of traditional friendship between our peoples," the President stressed.

Belarus hails unprecedented increase in bilateral trade, which went up from $34 million in 1992 to $3 billion in 2011. Our countries have started to implement large-scale investment projects, including projects to set up joint ventures in Belarus and China, have launched mechanisms of credit and inter-bank cooperation.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that Belarus-China cooperation in culture, science and education becomes closer every year and brings important results.

The President expressed confidence that the cooperation potential between the two states is not exhausted yet. There are good prospects in the development of credit and investment ties and direct contacts between regions and enterprises of the both countries.

"We are proud that true fraternal relations between our countries have great future as they underlie the principles of mutually beneficial cooperation, respect and equality. I hope that closer high-level dialogue will help Belarus-China ties become an example of interstate relations in the 21st century," Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

President of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao has also congratulated Belarusian head of state Aleksandr Lukashenko and the people on the anniversary of diplomatic relations.

According to the congratulation message, the relations between Belarus and China have shown 20 years of effective and stable development. In 2005 the leaders of the two states said that they have entered into a new stage of all-round development and strategic partnership.

"Belarus and China proved to be friends who trust each other, who are sincere and reliable partners. Bilateral ties have been developing with due account for mutual interests of the two nations. They are playing an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the region and in the world," Hu Jintao said.

The Chinese head of state noted: "Today the cooperation between Belarus and China has reached its momentum. The 20th anniversary opens new opportunities and broad prospects. I would like us to join efforts to raise the level of bilateral ties and promote mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of the two nations."

Hu Jintao wished prosperity and power to Belarus and happiness to its people.