Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko plant a dragon spruce tree symbolizing the friendship between the two nations, in Minsk, capital of Belarus, May 10, 2015. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
The two countries, he said, have seen a rapid development of exchanges and cooperation in various areas since they established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, including the economy and trade, investment, people-to-people and cultural sectors.
The cooperative ties between the two countries have reached an unprecedented high level, he said.
Lukashenko stressed that Belarus is now speeding up efforts and taking effective measures to implement the development plan for the China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership from 2014 to 2018.
Belarus is endeavoring to advance practical exchanges and cooperation with China in industry, transport, real estate, telecommunications and other fields, especially in carrying out cooperation in infrastructure, finance and investment in Belarus, he said.
The Belarusian side is willing to work with the Chinese side to promote bilateral trade and strengthen cooperation in science and technology, tourism, education and other areas, he said.
Lukashenko underscored that Belarus fully supports the China-proposed initiatives of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and that his country is ready to become an important pillar of the initiatives.
He also voiced support for expanding people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation with China.
Citing Xi's remarks upon arrival at the airport in Minsk that the youths are the future, Lukashenko said he fully agrees with the idea, and that many young Belarusians are studying the Chinese language with enthusiasm, fostering the future of the friendly relations between the two countries.
He noted that both Belarus and China are victorious nations of WWII. Belarus gives a high appraisal to the immense contributions made by the Chinese people to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Lukashenko said, and it supports China in holding commemorative activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of both China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The two leaders also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.
After the talks, Xi and Lukashenko signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation and a joint statement on further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
It is a cornerstone of the China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership to support each other on national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, security, development and other issues involving their core interests and major concern, said the joint statement.
It said the two sides will take measures to enlarge trade volume, improve the structure of trade, increase mutual investment and boost technology cooperation between the two countries.
In addition, the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism remain serious threats to the security and stability in the Eurasia region. China and Belarus will encourage closer cooperation to fight them as well as drug-related crimes, human trafficking and other trans-border organized crimes, according to the statement.
