Anniversary celebration of China Book Center in Belarus held in Minsk

A celebration marking the first anniversary of the China Book Center in Belarus was held Thursday in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. The event brought together around 100 Chinese and Belarusian guests.

Yu Tao, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), delivers a video address at the event celebrating the first anniversary of the China Book Center in Belarus held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, Aug. 28, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Yu Tao, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), said in his video remarks that the establishment of the China Book Center in Belarus had been officially announced by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and then-Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, who also jointly witnessed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between CICG and the National Library of Belarus. Yu described the book center as an important milestone in China–Belarus cultural exchanges, and a symbol of the growing friendship between the two peoples. He expressed the hope that more books on China — particularly those that reflect contemporary development and highlight the richness of Chinese culture — would be made available to Belarusian readers through this platform.

Xia Guangyuan, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Belarus, delivers remarks at the event celebrating the first anniversary of the China Book Center in Belarus held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, Aug. 28, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Speaking at the event, Xia Guangyuan, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Belarus, said the establishment of the China Book Center in Belarus has created a new bridge for Belarusian readers to discover China. An increasing number of local readers are discovering the distinctive appeal of Chinese culture and gaining fresh perspectives on China's development. He added that friendship between China and Belarus is strengthened by spaces like this — places where readers can find quiet moments of reflection and broaden their perspectives. Looking ahead, China will continue to work with Belarus to take more concrete steps, enabling readers to explore new worlds through books, Xia said.

Lyudmila Vysotskaya and Viktor Pshibytko, deputy directors general of the National Library of Belarus, and Alexey Charota, deputy chairman of the public association Union of Writers of Belarus, deliver remarks at the event celebrating the first anniversary of the China Book Center in Belarus held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, Aug. 28, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Lyudmila Vysotskaya and Viktor Pshibytko, deputy directors general of the National Library of Belarus, and Alexey Charota, deputy chairman of the public association Union of Writers of Belarus also attended the event.

Belarusian speakers recalled the establishment of the China Book Center in Belarus and spoke highly of the role it has played. They noted that, over the past year, the center has attracted a large number of local readers and helped them gain a better understanding of China and its culture. The Belarusian side expressed its willingness to work with China to further develop the center.

A variety of China-themed cultural activities are held at the event celebrating the first anniversary of the China Book Center in Belarus held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, Aug. 28, 2025. [Photo/CICG] 

The celebration also featured a series of cultural activities, including traditional Chinese music and dance performances, a lecture on Chinese painting, hands-on printmaking and Chinese chess sessions, and a book exhibition.

The China Book Center in Belarus was jointly established by CICG and the National Library of Belarus. It was built by Foreign Languages Press and is the 16th China Book Center established by CICG overseas.