China suggested enhancing trade ties with the Republic of Belarus, which borders Russia, by expanding cooperation in sectors such as energy, telecommunication, automobile and pharmacy, said a Chinese senior trade official.

Zhang Zhigang, Chinese vice minister of commerce made the proposal during talks with his Belarus counterpart Kulichkov Alexander Nikolaevich as both co-chairmen at the sixth meeting of a China-Belarus joint committee on trade and economic cooperation here on Monday.

Zhang suggested the two countries enhance financial cooperation, such as providing export credits, promoting trade; strengthening regional cooperation and welcoming Belarus enterprises to participate in China's develop-the-west drive and the rejuvenation of its old industrial belt in northeastern China.

He also suggested the two countries optimize trade commodity structures, explore new cooperation fields and reinforce government cooperation to provide better services for the enterprises.

Nikolaevich agreed with Zhang, saying that the two sides can also further cooperation in science and technology when the two countries' soaring economy offered sound conditions for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Belarus hopes to learn from China's experience on economic reform and its accession to the World Trade Organization, he said.

Bo Xilai, Chinese minister of commerce also met with Nikolaevich, saying that China hopes to further economic and trade cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States, which is composed of the members of the former Soviet Union.