Connecting threads on the Silk Road
The official visit of Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang to Belarus has ended. Important negotiations took place at the highest level. This is a continuation of the implementation of the agreements reached by Alexander Lukashenko and Xi Jinping in Astana in the summer on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The result was the signing of a large-scale package of agreements and arrangements that will consolidate plans for key areas of cooperation. The parties confirmed their intention to further develop relations based on the principles of an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership. Sergey Vergeychik, analyst of the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research, speaks about the state and prospects of cooperation between Belarus and China
AS SAID
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko:
— Now the most urgent task for us is to raise economic and investment cooperation to the level of political cooperation.
At the meeting with Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang, August 22, 2024
— Sergey, how important is the current visit of Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang to Belarus?
— Definitely, this visit is a landmark event in the history of bilateral relations and an important element of high-level communication in strategic areas of interstate cooperation. Visits and meetings at the supreme level of the two countries give a powerful impetus to the development of bilateral relations, reflect their high level and emphasize the mutual interest of the countries in joint development.
In modern conditions, Li Qiang's visit to Belarus is of particular importance. It was held under unprecedented high level of bilateral relations — an all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership, which the countries were able to achieve thanks to the far-sighted policy of their leaders – President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Since diplomatic relations were established in January 1992, this is the third visit of the Chinese Premier to Belarus. In June 1995, the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Peng visited our country, and in November 2007 – Wen Jiabao. However, the quantitative indicator of visits does not fully reflect the intensity of contacts. It should be noted that there is an intensive dialogue within the framework of the visits of the heads of state, as well as on international platforms. Issues of comprehensive cooperation are regularly and substantively considered within the framework of the annually meeting Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee.
Traditionally, high-level visits are accompanied by delegations of heads of ministries and departments of the economic bloc, as well as representatives of the business community - heads of large enterprises of both state and private ownership. This allows to achieve mutual understanding and strengthen mutual trust, coordinate positions on issues of common interest.
An important factor is the establishment of strong personal relations at the level of the leadership of the states, which in the future will contribute to a more dynamic development of cooperation in all areas. There are all prerequisites for this, because Belarus and China has maintained similar views on the main issues of international relations and sustainable global development for decades.
— The Republic of Belarus and the People's Republic of China established an all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. How would you characterize the current stage of cooperation between the two countries?
— The development of relations with China has been and remains a strategic direction of the foreign policy of the Republic of Belarus. At the same time, despite the difficult international situation and the tense geopolitical situation, our countries demonstrate to the whole world an example of high-quality cooperation based on mutual respect, trust, mutual benefit and support.
The high level of political relations also attracts the economy, serves as an example for ministries, enterprises, and businesses. It is necessary to note the progressive qualitative change in the Belarusian-Chinese economic relations: the parties have evolved from simple trade to project financing, the stage of mutual investments and the coupling of industrial potentials. Unification of the production and trade chains of Belarus and China is focused on obtaining joint benefits.
Mutual track
— Why is China interesting to Belarus and why is Belarus interesting to China?
— Belarus and China have incommensurable economic potential and political weight, which makes it difficult to identify common approaches to defining criteria for evaluating bilateral relations.
It is obvious that cooperation with China presents unlimited opportunities for Belarus. By offering partnership within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative, China has consistently opened its large market for products of Belarusian enterprises. Moreover, in many positions, domestic goods do not compete with Chinese manufacturers, but compete with major global suppliers in the PRC market. This is most evident in the food and agricultural sector. The Chinese buyer prefers the consumer (taste) qualities and the affordable price of our products. Belarus is a reliable supplier of mineral fertilizers, thereby making a great contribution to ensuring the food security of its strategic partner.
In turn, China, known as the "world factory", is a reliable supplier of a wide range of components for industrial production and consumer goods. High-tech goods made in China have become widely popular among Belarusians: computers, mobile phones, and in recent years Chinese cars have become especially popular.
Skeptics will pay attention to the negative balance in foreign trade between Belarus and China. it should be noted here that due to trade with China, Belarus acquires advantages in the markets of third countries. Therefore, the added value from the sale of finished products increases significantly, for example, in the EAEU countries or the far arc. A similar trend is observed in trade with China of the neighboring Poland. For example, in 2022, it imported goods from China worth almost $38 billion, while exports to the Chinese market made just over $5 billion.
Under conditions of external sanctions pressure, China has become a natural reliable alternative to the West. In contrast to the policy of the countries of the collective West on restrictions, prohibition, separation, etc. China is implementing a balanced policy of good neighborliness in the interests of a common future, building a community of common destiny of mankind. At the same time, the Chinese leadership draws attention to the readiness of the PRC to assist its partners in the modernization of national economies.
Expanding horizons
— This year, Belarus has officially joined the SCO. How can this affect the relations between Belarus and China?
— The SCO has already become an authoritative regional platform where China plays an active role and is a driver of promoting cooperation in all areas — politics, security, economy, humanitarian sphere. Besides, the SCO secretariat is located in the capital of the PRC.
The principles of the "Shanghai spirit" are close and understandable to Belarus, so joining the "SCO family" is happening naturally, one can say, without an adaptation period. At the same time, the Chinese experience in implementing joint projects on an organizational scale will also be useful.
— And what role does China play in the modern world order today?
— In the modern world order China plays an active role. Ten years of implementation of the global Belt and Road concept has allowed many countries to significantly increase the potential of their economies and create a powerful infrastructure to ensure intensive development.
China is not limited to purely economic initiatives. In recent years, Beijing has offered the world its vision of the development of global civilization, the concept of global development and security. China's peacekeeping initiatives deserve attention: in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, resolving the situation in the Middle East.
China's foreign policy strategy is focused on harmonizing relations with developing countries, the states of the Global South, as well as consolidating the efforts of the BRICS countries in reforming the global governance system.