Opinions & Interviews
Ambassador: China’s development is impossible without Belarus’ support
Cui Qiming
MINSK, 1 November (BelTA) - China's development is impossible without the support and assistance of Belarus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Belarus Cui Qiming said at a meeting of the communication club Dialogue with Ambassador at the House of Friendship on 31 October, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus is a good friend and partner. China's development cannot do without its support and assistance. Since diplomatic relations were established, the two states political have been strengthening trust, developing economic cooperation and humanitarian exchanges,” said the diplomat. “The Chinese-Belarusian relations of trust-based comprehensive strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation have brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. China consistently supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belarus, respects the path of development chosen by the country, its domestic and foreign policy. The states always strongly support each other in key issues,” the head of state said.
The ambassador expressed confidence that the momentum in the Belarusian-Chinese relations is supported by the strategic leadership of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko, and China President Xi Jinping. “Interaction in various areas has reached on the path of accelerated development, has deepened in every way and has already brought certain results,” Cui Qiming said. “The two heads of state met twice this year and reached important agreements on expanding cooperation, implementing the Belt and Road initiative and developing the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone.
According to statistics, in January-June 2019 the trade between China and Belarus reached $2.053 billion, up 22.3% from the same period last year. The export of Belarusian goods to China increased by 81.9%. China continues to maintain its position as the third largest trade partner and the second largest importer for Belarus. In Q1 2019, China invested $48.2 million in the country, up 35% year-on-year.
Cui Qiming added that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. “The Communist Party of China is firmly committed to a policy of reform and openness. The path of socialism with Chinese specifics is defined by Xi Jinping as a guiding ideology for the long term,” the diplomat said. “Over the past 70 years, China’s economy has grown significantly. The total GDP went up from $174.9 billion in 1977 to $1.36 trillion in 2018.”
Over the past 70 years, China has pursued an independent and peaceful foreign policy, building a new type of international relations and a community of common destiny for humanity.
Speaking about security and stability, the ambassador called the “Hong Kong issue” an internal Chinese affair. He said: “According to the UN Charter, no country can interfere with the internal affairs of others. Violent protests over the legislative amendments in Hong Kong have lasted for more than four months already. Demonstrations in Hong Kong are not peaceful marches, but 100% violence on the streets, violation of the law and crimes. Some foreign forces, including a number of foreign media outlets, are distorting the reality and calling this street violence a “beautiful landscape” of which democracy is supposedly the main adornment. I would like to say that all sorts of attempts to interfere with China's internal affairs will never succeed. It is absolutely impossible. The most important thing is to stop the violence, restore order and governance based on the rule of law. Today other countries are also showing similar developments: in Spanish Catalonia, in England and even in the streets of Chile. Some protesters in those places have publicly stated that it is necessary to follow the example of violence in Hong Kong's streets in order to turn these places into a second Hong Kong. Is this also a “beautiful landscape”?”
The Chinese ambassador praised Belarus’ contribution to maintaining stability in the region. “Belarus is the safest and most stable country in Europe, while China is the safest state in Asia,” the diplomat said. According to Cui Qiming, he had visited all the regions of Belarus, including some landmarks for several times each. He expressed admiration for the policy pursued in the country, aimed at the stable development of all regions.
At the meeting, Cui Qiming answered questions regarding China and the Belarusian-Chinese relations, as well as his diplomatic route.
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