BELARUS – CHINA: NEW FEATURES OF COOPERATION
Regions are ready to be at the forefront
– Mr. Ambassador, what is the main goal of the Year of Regions? – Holding of the Year of Regions of China and Belarus this and next year is an important agreement reached by the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during a telephone conversation in January this year. Interregional cooperation is becoming an increasingly important component of the Chinese-Belarusian relations. We are pleased to note that all six regions of Belarus and the city of Minsk have established twinning relations with the provinces and cities of China. The regions of the two countries actively cooperate and exchange in the fields of economy and trade, science and technology, education and culture, medicine and health care and have achieved a number of excellent results, playing an irreplaceable role in the development of business cooperation, cultural exchanges and strengthening friendship between the two countries. – What events will take place within this global interstate project? – Within the Year of Regions, China and Belarus are implementing more than 100 different projects of interregional cooperation and exchange with the participation of most of the provinces and cities of China, all 6 regions and the capital of Belarus, as well as the main government departments of the two countries. Planned events include twinning agreements, business meetings of enterprises, economic forums, international exhibitions, scientific and technological innovation forums,
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БЕЛАРУСЬ.BELARUS NOVEMBER 2021
BELTA
China occupies an exceptional place in our foreign policy; it is, in fact, our main strategic partner in the Asian region. So the level of cooperation between the two countries was outlined by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Nikolai Borisevich at the opening ceremony of the Year of Regions of Belarus and China. In 2021-2022, within this global interstate project, dozens of important events are planned to be held. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Belarus Xie XIAOYONG told us why interregional cooperation has become a new growth point in relations between Belarus and China. cultural festivals, music weeks, photo exhibitions, events promoting traditional medicine, scientific seminars etc. We have every reason to believe that the regions of the two countries will support the concept of mutual benefit and adhere to the goal of a joint exchange of results, take the opportunity to hold the Year of Regions of China and Belarus to give an even greater impetus to interregional cooperation and make it a new growth point for business cooperation between the two countries, as well as to improve the quality of the ChineseBelarusian relations. – How can you characterize the Belarusian-Chinese cooperation at this stage? To what extent do communication and exchange of views between the leaders of the two states on a number of key issues contribute to the further deepening of cooperation? – Thanks to the strategic leadership and personal care of the leaders of the two countries, the Chinese-Belarusian relations are developing dynamically. Friendship grows stronger day by day. Bilateral cooperation in various fields continues to deepen. Both sides build political mutual trust, cooperate closely in international affairs and strongly support each other on issues affecting the fundamental interests and important concerns of our two countries. The Chinese side strongly supports the Belarusian side in protection of its state sovereignty and national dignity, opposes the interference of foreign forces in internal affairs, and respects the development path chosen by the Belarusian people in accordance with their national priorities.
