Belarus shows interest in development of west, northeast China

Visiting Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergei Martynov said Thursday that Belarus will make efforts to promote economic cooperation with China and actively participate the development of west and northeast China.

"This is an effective way to deepen the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries," he told reporters.

The northeastern part of China, including Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, used to be a heavy industries base of China. They and the western provinces lag behind of the eastern part of China in terms of economic development since the country's reform and opening-up drive.

Martynov said the China-Belarus relations were based on mutual trust, friendship and cooperation. China is the most important political and trade partner of Belarus in Asia. The two countries enjoy fruitful cooperation in such fields as trade, technology and culture.

Martynov stressed Belarus wants to further enlarge economic and trade cooperation with China by increasing variety of goods and strengthening reciprocal investment. Sales and service network for heavy industrial products such as agricultural machines and machine tools is under planning to be set up in west and northeast China.

According to the Chinese General Administration of Customs, the trade volume between China and Belarus in 2004 reached 218.9 million US dollars, up 69.8 percent over 2003. China's export volume to Belarus was 64.97 million US dollars and the import volume was 153.9 million US dollars.

Martynov also hosted the issuing ceremony for the Chinese edition of a book called "The Republic of Belarus." The book, edited by the Institute of Russia, East Europe and Central Asia Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, gives an introduction to history, politics, economy and culture of Belarus.

He said he hoped the book would help the Chinese people know Belarus better, and make contribution to enhance the friendship between the two countries and two peoples.