China and Belarus on Tuesday agreed to enhance economic and trade cooperation to upgrade bilateral ties.

At a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko,  Vice Premier Huang Ju highlighted the trade relations between the two countries, saying that the two are highly complementary in economy.

He suggested the two countries further open markets to each other and facilitate direct contacts between the business circles of the two countries.

He also suggested the two countries increase two-way investment, combine their resources for joint production, enhance cooperation in high-tech fields and exchange of technical personnel and improve consultation in international economic issues.

He reiterated China's support for Belarus' efforts in gaining access to the World Trade Organization.

Lukashenko was in Beijing for a three-day state visit. On Monday, China and Belarus signed a total of 12 cooperative documents after an hour-long talk between President Hu Jintao and Lukashenko.

The two countries also announced on Monday that they've granted full market economy status to each other.

Lukashenko told Huang he was convinced that Belarus and China enjoy great potential for further economic cooperation due to China's fast economic growth and financial advantage.

He said Belarus hopes to improve the trade pattern with China and explore more fields for cooperation.

Lukashenko also expressed interests in China's plans of developing its western regions and rejuvenating the country's old industrial base in northeast areas.

During their meeting, Huang and Lukashenko hailed the relations between the two countries and promised to implement the consensus reached between the two heads of state to promote the comprehensive growth of bilateral ties.

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2005)