Vice premiers of Belarus, China in talks in Beijing

The economic program of the Belarus-China talks in Beijing continues. The negotiations between the leaders of the two countries, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Xi Jinping, were followed by a meeting at the level of deputy prime ministers, BelTA reports.

Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested such a meeting during the negotiations with Xi Jinping. The hosting country willingly accepted the proposal. The agreements of the leaders are discussed and implemented.

Taking part in the meeting were Belarus' First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov and China's Deputy Prime Minister Liu Guozhong.

The meeting was proceeded by the talks between the heads of state that lasted for more than three hours. The two leaders continued their conversation over a working lunch.

Liu Guozhong noted that the fifth meeting of the China-Belarus intergovernmental cooperation committee was held in Beijing this summer. The parties reached broad agreements to expand cooperation across the board. “After the meeting, the relevant government agencies of the two countries have been jointly working to implement the arrangements agreed on during the meeting. It is gratifying to see progress on this front,” the Chinese vice premier said.

He emphasized the importance of the meeting in light of the Beijing talks between the presidents of China and Belarus. “This is important for promoting the implementation of the agreements of the heads of state. I am ready to maintain close contacts with you and oversee the efforts of the China-Belarus intergovernmental cooperation committee to promote mutually beneficial cooperation,” Liu Guozhong said.

In turn, Nikolai Snopkov remarked that it was a very good year for Belarus-China relations. The meeting of the committee was highly instrumental in addressing the tasks set by the two leaders on 1 March during the state visit [of Aleksandr Lukashenko to China], he said. “In the first days of spring this year, we made a historic breakthrough in bilateral relations. In the first days of winter, on the Constitution Day of the People's Republic of China, we are again discussing priority issues on the global and bilateral agenda. Comrade Xi Jinping has very accurately described today the essence of our relations, saying that all-weather cooperation means steadfast mutual support in all areas,” Nikolai Snopkov continued.

According to him, more than 120 mutual visits of delegations of Chinese and Belarusian experts have taken place since 1 March. Strategic and applied documents were adopted throughout the year. A substantive cooperation development plan for 2023-2024, a comprehensive industrial cooperation strategy, and a detailed plan for joint technological development were signed.

“All tasks and documents, as the leaders demand, are specific, practice-oriented and seek to achieve national development goals,” said Nikolai Snopkov.