Working visit to People’s Republic of China
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Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko arrived in the People’s Republic on a working visit on 1 September.
The head of state took part in the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the end of the Sino-Japanese War and the Second World War.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also had bilateral meetings with Chinese top-ranking officials.
Meeting with First Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China and member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Zhang Gaoli
Belarus is China’s long-standing reliable partner, not a friend of convenience, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with First Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China and member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Zhang Gaoli on 2 September.
“You have many friends. You have found them not long ago when China became one of the most influential countries in the world, the so-called second point of attraction for many states,” the President noted.
“Belarus and China, however, have a long joint story. Belarus’ contemporary history is connected with the People’s Republic of China. We are not friends of convenience. We are long-standing friends of the Chinese people and we have truly good mutual relations,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized the frequency of meetings between the authorities of the two countries. In his words, it is of high importance for bilateral relations. “The more we meet, the more advanced our relations will be,” the President believes.
The head of state noted that the Belarusian side is absolutely satisfied with the present level of negotiations. “We view ourselves as strategic partners,” he stressed.
China views Belarus as a true friend and reliable partner, First Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China and member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Zhang Gaoli said as he met with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on 2 September.
According to Zhang Gaoli, Belarus and China have established relations of comprehensive strategic partnership. “Moreover, you and China President Xi Jinping enjoy close friendship. You are going to meet for the third time in the last four months. It is rare in the world politics,” said Zhang Gaoli.
“Belarus is our big reliable friend and partner,” he stressed. “Under your leadership Belarus enjoys political stability, developing economy and improving living conditions. We applaud to your achievements,” Zhang Gaoli added.
In his words, during the Second World War, Belarus, the same as China, suffered tremendous national losses. The country made a huge contribution to the victory in the international anti-Fascist war. “Such a deed cannot be forgotten by the Chinese people, the same as by people of all the countries,” he said. Speaking about the forthcoming celebrations on 3 September, Zhang Gaoli said that the main objective of the events is to remember the past and commemorate the fallen heroes, cherish peace and open the future.
Zhang Gaoli reminded the Belarusian leader that the previous meeting with the Belarusian head of state was focused on the China-Belarus Industrial Park project and the parties reached mutual understanding then. In his words, all the reached agreements are fully implemented. “Thus, the countries have been making a serious step towards the implementation of the China-Belarus Industrial Park project,” he said.
As the First Vice Premier, in charge of economic issues, Zhang Gaoli assured that he would do everything possible for the implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level.
Meeting with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, for Chinese investments and loans provided for the implementation of infrastructure projects at the meeting in Beijing on 2 September.
These funds are used to build roads and develop other projects in Belarus. The Belarusian President emphasized that Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Belarus has become a historical breakthrough. “Today our cooperation is increasingly vibrant,” the Belarusian leader said.
A big progress has been made in the construction of the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park Great Stone. “You called it the pearl of the Silk Road. This will be a unique project,” the Belarusian head of state said. He added that the construction is in full swing.
Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked the Chinese head of state for his commitment to preserving the memory of World War II victims. This war resulted in tremendous losses for the Soviet Union, Europe and China.
The Belarusian President also spoke about the meeting with First Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Gaoli which took place in the morning. The meeting focused on a number of pending issues on the Belarusian-Chinese short-term agenda. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the sides did not avoid topical issues. Zhang Gaoli stressed that the resolutions of the heads of state will be scrupulously fulfilled.
Relying on the principles of strategic partnership, China is ready to support Belarus, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping said.
"We are ready to continue to work with Belarus in order to achieve even greater results in our joint activities," the Chinese President said.
Xi Jinping drew attention to the fact that the Belarusian-Chinese partnership is steadily progressing. "I hope that the parties will cooperate actively to preserve the high dynamics of the relations," he said.
The issues relating to the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park were also touched upon during the meeting. Xi Jinping took note of the importance of this project. "We have done a lot together on this project. I hope that by joint efforts we can make the Park an exemplary project of the economic belt initiative of the big Silk Road,” said Xi Jinping.
Army parade in Beijing
On 3 September Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko attended the army parade that took place in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory in the war against Japan and the end of World War Two.
China celebrates victory over the Japanese militarism and the end of World War Two on 3 September.
It is the first time a major military parade has been arranged in China for purposes other than celebrating another anniversary of the day when the People’s Republic of China was founded.
About 30 leaders of foreign nations and heads of international organizations attended the parade. In particular, the number included the heads of state of Russia, Czechia, Serbia, Venezuela, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Central and Southeast Asia countries.
The leaders were greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tian’anmen Square. After posing for a group photo the heads of state, including Aleksandr Lukashenko, went on to watch the parade.