China, Belarus vow to boost partnership

 

Hot off the heels of a trip to Moscow for World War Two commemorations, President Xi is the first Chinese head of state to travel to Belarus in 14 years. He met in Minsk with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko. The two leaders pledged on Sunday to take the partnership between their two countries to a new level.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) meets with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, capital of Belarus, May 10, 2015. Xi arrived here Sunday for a three-day state visit to Belarus, the first by a Chinese head of state in 14 years. [Xinhua]

After a warm welcome at the airport and a grand ceremony at the Independence Palace. Presidents Xi Jinping and Alexander Lukashenko sat down for talks.

President Xi expressed hope the meeting would result in practical outcomes.

He said Belarus could play a key role in China's One Belt One Road Initiatives, projects which aim to bridge Europe and Asia through a series of transportation links.

For his part, President Lukashenko noted the rapid development of cooperative ties and said he valued the friendship between the two countries.

Deals worth billions of dollars were signed to boost cooperation on trade, infrastructure and industrial modernization, providing a much needed boost for a Belarusian economy seriously affected by Russia's recent economic troubles.

President Xi's visit comes as the world marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two. The Chinese president said the two countries made great contributions to the victory against Fascism and Militarism.

The two leaders then planted a spruce tree outside the Independence Palace, a symbol of a historic friendship that is only growing stronger.