Lukashenka and Xi Jinping met in Samarkand

September 15, Samarkand. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping in Samarkand, where the leaders of the countries arrived to participate in the summit on September 15-16, BelTA has learned.

"Dear President Lukashenko, my good friend, I am very glad to meet you. This is our first face-to-face meeting since the beginning of the pandemic. The meeting of old friends is always warm. Over 30 years of diplomatic relations between China and Belarus, our bilateral relations have been continuously improving. The agreements reached with Mr. President effectively implemented, the all-round cooperation between the two countries is strong and stable. Following the meeting, we adopt a joint declaration on the establishment of all-weather and all-round strategic partnership, realizing the historic rise of our cooperation to a new level," Xi Jinping said.

He assured that he was ready to continue to make efforts together with the Belarusian leader to implement mutual political support, intensify the entire complex of Chinese-Belarusian cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries. The President of China also thanked for the special attention to Chinese-Belarusian relations.

In turn, Alexander Lukashenko assured President Xi Jinping of the reliability of Belarusian friendship.

"Dear Chairman, thank you for the kind words that you just said. If you want to know our attitude towards the People's Republic of China and you personally at the present moment, multiply what you said by two. You have always been of great help to us. just a strong, reliable friend, but also a serious support in this difficult time. What time, you know better than me," the President said.

"I want to reaffirm our focus on deepening relations. We have always supported China in all fundamental issues, such as economic growth, unity, integrity of China, the policy of" one China ". On all issues, we have always been there, and even if someone I would like to reproach us for something, I would not find such a reason," the Belarusian leader stressed. "It will always be like this. We are reliable friends. No matter what the cost, if we promised, we will adhere to this policy and practice."

Alexander Lukashenko also thanked his Chinese counterpart for the fact that in a difficult time - a pandemic and instability in the world - the parties found the strength and determination to take relations to a new level of iron brotherhood, exemplary all-round strategic cooperation and all-weather partnership. “To a very decent and worthy level. And we will do everything to ensure that you do not regret it and make a mistake in your choice,” the head of the Belarusian state assured.

Separate words of gratitude were expressed for the support of Belarus in acquiring the status of a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. “When I met with your colleagues, members of the SCO, I said that, probably, not a single country will have any claims against Belarus regarding the observance of the principles of cooperation within the SCO. Well, such a considerable and reliable friend in Europe as Belarus will always be useful not only for the Shanghai Organization, but also for the PRC,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

He also thanked the Chinese Foreign Minister, the entire Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Commerce of this country for the decisiveness and speed with which the parties implement the agreements. “The Great Stone that we laid in Belarus is growing and expanding, despite the obstacles of individual states. We are determined to continue this development,” the Belarusian leader said.

"I personally want to thank you for supporting the development of the biotechnology industry. I thank our Chinese friends. We agreed that we will meet in Minsk in the near future and think about how to expand our cooperation not only in the field of biotechnology, but also in mathematics, physics, optoelectronics . Where we have high enough technologies, and which the PRC needs,” Alexander Lukashenko added.

The head of state met with President Xi Jinping 11 times: during his visits to China in 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, on the sidelines of the Tashkent (2016), Astana (2017), Bishkek (2019) year) SCO summits, as well as during the visit of Xi Jinping to Belarus in 2015.

In September 2016, the leaders of Belarus and China established a relationship of trusting comprehensive strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation. An agreement in principle was reached to raise the level to "iron brotherhood, exemplary all-round strategic cooperation and all-weather partnership."

In order to solve priority tasks for developing relations with Beijing and bringing practical cooperation to a qualitatively new level, on December 3, 2021, Directive No. 9 of the President of Belarus "On the development of bilateral relations between the Republic of Belarus and the People's Republic of China."

China is traditionally one of the three largest trade partners of Belarus. At the end of 2021, trade with China reached $5.1 billion (111.5% compared to 2020), exports - $911.9 million (117.3%), imports - $4.19 billion (110.3%). In January - July 2022, the volume of trade in goods amounted to $3.07 billion (110.2% compared to the same period in 2021), exports - $943.3 million (198.9%), imports - $2.13 billion (rate - 92 ,four%).

The main export growth points are potash fertilizers, frozen beef, poultry meat and edible by-products, longitudinally sawn timber, condensed and dry milk and cream, specific products, whey. In the structure of Belarusian exports, there is a pronounced advantage in the supply of food and agricultural products. Belarus is in the top 10 suppliers to China of potash fertilizers (3rd place), whey (5th place), meat products (chicken and beef (7th and 9th places), rapeseed oil (11th e place).

As of August 1, 2022, 162 Belarusian manufacturers are accredited to supply their products to China. 63 enterprises produce dairy products, 18 supply frozen beef, 11 - frozen chicken meat, 9 - frozen berries, 7 - processed fish products. More than 20 manufacturers represent the confectionery, alcohol and other areas of the food industry.

At the end of 2021, the volume of investments from China to Belarus amounted to $109.2 million (104.5% compared to 2020), including direct investments - $74.8 million (137.6%). This year there is a significant increase in investment activity.

In 2021, more than 50 investment projects were implemented in Belarus with the participation of Chinese companies (44 of them in the Great Stone). The industrial park accounts for the main inflow of investments. All participants invested $753.7 million in the project. The share of budget investments is minimal - 5%, or about $35.6 million. start-ups and the creation of preferential conditions for large investment projects. As of August 10, 2022, 93 residents from 15 countries are registered in Great Stone, including 46 with Chinese capital. The total amount of declared investments is $1.25 billion. In 2022, 8 new residents were registered,

Cooperation with China is also actively developing in the credit and financial sphere. Through Chinese government loans under existing loan agreements, 25 projects have been implemented for a total of almost $4.73 billion, four projects worth $2.26 billion are under implementation.

A number of projects in the field of technical and economic assistance are also being implemented. Three key areas of cooperation for the medium term until 2025 have been identified: the National Football Stadium and International Standard Swimming Pool projects; support for the development of the industrial park "Great Stone"; promoting stability and security.