BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

2005-12-06

China, Belarus sign market economy deal

By Cao Desheng (China Daily)

China and Belarus granted each other market economy status yesterday as a move to promote bilateral economic relations.

The announcement came as Belarusian President Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko pays a three-day official visit to China, which is expected to conclude late today.

A package of economic co-operation agreements was signed yesterday as Lukashenko met with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao in Beijing, including a memorandum of understanding on recognizing China as a full market economy country.

So far, 51 countries have recognized China's full market economy status.

During the meeting, Hu said China is ready to promote bilateral relations with Belarus by maintaining high-level communication to deepen political trust and expanding pragmatic partnership to boost common development.

Meanwhile, he said, co-operation in culture, education, sports and tourism as well as exchanges between the two peoples should also be intensified.

"China is willing to work with Belarus to strengthen consultations and co-ordination in international and regional affairs to promote peace, stability and development in the region and the world," Hu said.

Hu expressed China's support for Belarus' accession to the World Trade Organization at the earliest date.

Responding to the Chinese president, Lukashenko said his country is committed to boosting economic links with China.

"Annual bilateral trade has hit US$500 million and we are determined to bring our trade turnover to US$ 1 billion," Lukashenko said.

It is his third visit to China as president of Belarus.

"China, as a rising economic powerhouse, can help the Belarusian economy grow faster," as economic and trade co-operation is the main dimension of Belarus-China ties, Lukashenko told Xinhua News Agency in the Belarusian capital Minsk on the eve of his visit to China.

China will provide non-reimbursable assistance as well as preferential loans to Belarus, according to the agreements signed yesterday.

Lukashenko is expected to meet with other senior Chinese officials today including top legislator Wu Bangguo, Vice-Premier Huang Ju, and Liu Qi, secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China.

He will wrap up his visit to China after attending the opening ceremony of the "Cultural Day of Belarus" in Beijing this evening.

Source:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-12/06/content_500763_2.htm

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