In the crisis year of 2020, China demonstrated economic resilience and impressive technological achievements, and announced large-scale transformations designed for decades. In the fight against contemporary challenges, Beijing calls on the countries of the world for strong actions in economy, foreign policy, and security that are commensurate with the role of a global leader.
The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the All-Belarusian People's Assembly noted that Belarus and China have special strategic ties. "We are the closest neighbors despite thousands of miles between us".
The basis for strengthening our ties are decades of long and lasting friendship, common values and goals of historical development, multiple exchanges of visits between our states at supreme level, and mutual support on fundamental issues in the international scene.
Amid the general decline in the global economy, relations between Belarus and China have maintained their momentum. As of today, the Chinese market has accredited more than 100 Belarusian companies. In 2020, China became one of the areas increasing Belarusian exports. And this is not the limit of our capabilities. The Belarusian state plans to add from $700 million to $1 billion to exports to China.
In turn, 170 companies with Chinese investments (including 52 joint ventures and 118 foreign) operate in Belarus. The Great Stone Industrial Park has 68 residents from 14 countries.
Supported by Chinese banks, our country has implemented or is implementing more than 30 major projects in energy, industry, agriculture, logistics, etc., for a total of $8 billion. The desire to expand the business and investment presence of Chinese banks in Belarus is a logical continuation of bilateral cooperation development.
The Chinese side notes the extensive involvement of our state in the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative (as estimated, more than 80% of container trains in this direction transit through Belarus). "Bremino–Orsha" Special economic zone is constructing an industrial and logistics infrastructure, intended as one of the largest clusters in the European part of the EEU.
Thus, Belarus and China today have a substantial partnership potential to continue mutually beneficial contacts within the "One Belt and One Road" concept, and to link the national development strategies of the two states.
In modern conditions, it is extremely important to intensify broad Belarusian-Chinese interregional cooperation which will further strengthen the solid foundation of our relations.
Last spring, in the heat of the coronavirus pandemic, it was the active promotion of inter-regional contacts that facilitated drugs and medicines aid to our country which came from more than 20 Chinese provinces, cities of central subordination, and autonomous districts. In turn, Belarus has also sent humanitarian supplies to the highest epidemic risk areas of the People's Republic of China.
The strategic nature of the Belarusian-Chinese relations provides very broad opportunities to build partnership in all areas. Full engagement meets our common interests and encourages Minsk and Beijing to search for new mechanisms of regional cooperation and further foreign economic opportunities.