/ / News
02.03.2012

Chinese Vice Speaker to visit Belarus in May

MINSK, 2 March (BelTA) – The Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee of the National People’s Congress is expected to visit Belarus in May, Chairman of the National’s Assembly’s House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko said as he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Belarus Gong Jianwei on 2 March.

Former ambassador of China Lu Guicheng made a great contribution to the Belarusian-Chinese relations, Vladimir Andreichenko said. The diplomat worked with the Chinese diplomatic mission in the USSR and then in Russia alongside with current Ambassador to Belarus Gong Jianwei. “We are convinced that we will be able to develop all-round cooperation,” the Speaker said, stressing that the relations with China are among the top priorities of the Belarusian foreign policy.

According to Vladimir Andreichenko, inter-parliamentary relations between China and Belarus have recently intensified. A delegation of Belarusian MPs paid a visit to China in 2009. The visit was very much successful. Besides, last year Belarus was visited by a delegation of Chinese parliamentarians led by Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Wu Bangguo. A number of agreements were signed during that visit.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives reminded that a taskforce on cooperation with the Chinese parliament is headed by Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Viktor Guminsky. Vladimir Andreichenko expressed hope for the further development of both inter-parliamentary relations and economic cooperation. In 2011 the trade between the two countries exceeded $3 billion.

In turn, Gong Jianwei said: “To be the Ambassador of China to Belarus is a great honor for me.” He noted that parliamentary relations between the two countries are developing well.

The Ambassador informed the Chairman of the House of Representatives that the final session of the National People’s Congress of China of the current convocation begins on 5 March. The Congress of the Communist Party of China is planned this year as well. “The rotation, change of leadership of our party is expected to take place by the end of this year,” explained the Ambassador. He also added that the election of the new leadership of the Parliament and new Prime Minister is scheduled next year. “These events will have a positive impact on the development of our relations,” said the diplomat.

The Chinese side is interested in the implementation of the agreements reached between China and Belarus, Gong Jianwei stressed. In particular, he recalled that the countries are working together on projects in the energy sector. Two projects are currently underway: at Bereza and Novolukoml state district power plants.

The diplomat said that Belarus could count on further support in the foreign policy field. “The Belarusian side has every reason to expect support from China,” said Gong Jianwei.

Speaking about the upcoming visit of the Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress to Belarus, the Ambassador said: “During this visit we will be able to create a more solid foundation for cooperation.”