Chinese president calls for steady implementation of major cooperation projects with Belarus

TASHKENT, June 24, 2016-- Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 24, 2016. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

TASHKENT, June 24 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Friday that China and Belarus should steadily implement the agreed major cooperation projects and enhance coordination of cooperation between the two sides.

During a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, Xi said the development of bilateral relations has gained speed and bilateral cooperation in various fields is enjoying an overall advancement.

The two sides render firm support to each other on issues concerning their respective core interests, Xi said.

The Chinese president said both sides should seek to dovetail their development strategies and enhance overall planning and coordination on cooperation projects.

Both sides should focus on the construction of the China-Balerus Industrial Park and deepen cooperation in major projects, so as to boost overall cooperation in trade, investment, finance and sub-national affairs and to push forward the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi said.

The two countries should enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and maintain the momentum of development in bilateral relations and cooperation, said the Chinese president.

For his part, Lukashenko said Belarus has always been China's reliable friend and he is happy to see that both sides have rendered support to each other on their respective major concerns.

Belarus stands ready to closely cooperate with China on economy and trade, sub-national affairs and high technology, said Lukashenko.

Belarus will actively participate in the Road and Belt Initiative and will strive to make the China-Belarus Industrial Park a landmark project of the initiative, said the Belarusian president.

Belarus is ready to enhance cooperation with China within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, said Lukashenko.

Xi arrived in Tashkent on Tuesday for a state visit to Uzbekistan, as well as a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Uzbekistan is the third and final stop of Xi's three-nation tour, which has taken him to Serbia and Poland.