Chinese vice premier calls for greater cooperation with Belarus

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (R) meets with Anatoly Kalinin, deputy prime minister of Belarus, in Beijing, capital of China, July 8, 2015. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, July 8 -- Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said Wednesday that China is ready to work together with Belarus to develop the China-Belarus Industrial Park into a world-class model of bilateral collaboration.

Zhang lauded the consensus of the heads of state of both countries on advancing the project.

He made the remarks when meeting with Belarus Deputy Prime Minister Anatoliy Kalinin in Zhongnanhai, the headquarters of the Chinese government.

The industrial park will be important pivotal point and platform for the two sides under the wider framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt, which connects Asia with Europe, according to Zhang.

During his May visit to Belarus, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the China-Belarus Industrial Park, the largest cooperation project between the two countries and China's largest foreign investment project in Belarus.

The China-Belarus Industrial Park is being built on the outskirts of Minsk under an agreement signed by the two countries in September 2011.

A joint development company was established in August 2012 and a ground-breaking ceremony was held on June 19, 2014.

The industrial park, covering 91.5 square km, will focus on electronics, biomedicine, fine chemistry, high-end manufacturing, logistics and other industries.

Zhang said Belarus is a good friend and important partner of China. Xi's successful state visit to Belarus in May has seen good results and is of great significance for the China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership and future links.

Kalinin said the Belarusian side places great importance on expanding relations with China. He expressed readiness to actively participate in the Silk Road Economic Belt and implement large-scale projects. He said Belarus is ready to continue to deepen pragmatic cooperation with China in all areas.