Chinese premier stresses cooperation with Belarus

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) holds a welcoming ceremony for Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 20, 2014. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called for closer cooperation with Belarus after the two countries formed a comprehensive strategic partnership in July last year.

Li made the comments during a meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich, saying that China and Belarus are good friends and partners and they need to take advantage of the newly upgraded partnership to advance common development and prosperity.

"The two sides need to enhance political engagement, provide more support for each other, cooperate more effectively and strengthen communication and coordination on international affairs," Li said.

He noted that a development plan for the China-Belarus partnership will soon be announced and implemented between the two sides, and predicted continuous progress in the key fields of bilateral cooperation.

He elaborated on such developments between the two sides, pointing out that a cooperation committee at vice premier level will be set up to provide more guidance.

Major cooperative projects in the transportation industry will be encouraged with the aim of establishing a pilot China-Belarus industrial park, founding joint ventures for a third-party market and carrying out joint work on international transportation, logistics and infrastructure construction, Li said.

He also briefed on the two countries' development mode in high technology as well as personnel exchanges and communication at local level.

Myasnikovich said Belarus values China's remarkable achievements in economic and social development, and he suggested the two sides further cement their partnership with a sound cooperative foundation.

He promised efforts from Belarus to expand investment and strengthen high-tech cooperation, advance the construction of the industrial park and work together with China in logistics transportation and promotion of the "Silk Road economic belt."

Belarus is ready to create favorable conditions for Chinese companies to invest in his country, according to Myasnikovich.

After their talk, Li and Myasnikovich witnessed the signing of a series of documents on bilateral cooperation including the development plan for the China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership from 2014 to 2018.