Belarus to further boost cooperation with China

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Wednesday that the country would continue to boost cooperation with China, with a focus on substantial results.

Belarus has adopted a right policy to build a strategic partnership with China, and now it's necessary to further promote Belarus-China cooperation in all areas for substantial results, said Lukashenko while introducing the country's new Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei.

The president asked the minister to step up efforts in cementing ties with China, citing the establishment of a Belarusian-Chinese Industrial Park as an important opportunity that must not be missed.

Since the two countries established diplomatic relations 20 years ago, China has become Belarus' fourth largest trading partner in the world.

Makei's predecessor, Sergei Martynov, was removed from office in the wake of a diplomatic row between Belarus and Sweden.

Nevertheless, Lukashenko said on Wednesday that "Belarus has not made any serious mistakes in foreign policy," adding that Martynov has done a lot for the country's diplomacy.

The European Union has expressed its willingness to work with Makei, despite the fact that the new minister is on the "blacklist " of the regional bloc.