MINSK, September 17 (Itar-Tass) — The parliaments of Belarus and China signed a memorandum on cooperation in Minsk on Saturday.
“This document will give an impetus to the development of cooperation between the parliaments of both countries,” China’s top legislator Wu Bangguo said at his meeting with Belarusian parliamentarians.
In his words, relations between the two countries develop dynamically. Wu stressed, “Both countries uphold each other and their cooperation has a high level of trust.”
In particular, he said, “Belarus came against interfering into China’s internal affairs. This is related to the Taiwanese and Tibetan issues, as well as to the problems of human rights.”
“For our part, we support and maintain Belarus’ course, its foreign and internal policy,” Wu said.
He noted that in 2010 trade turnover had reached 1.300 billion U.S. dollars. “But we believe that trade turnover is not so big yet. But we have good prospects,” Wu said.
At the same time, the Chinese legislator stressed that the two countries had many joint projects, which were being implemented successfully. The sides agreed to create a communication satellite and develop interaction in the energy sector, the construction field and transport, Wu pointed out.
Belarusian parliament speaker Vladimir Andreichenko said Belarus praised the development of relations with China. He expressed hope that both countries could maintain strategic partnership.
Particularly, he pointed to China’s economic assistance to Belarus.
China will provide a one billion U.S. dollar soft loan to Belarus, Wu said. “The Chinese government has decided to provide a one billion U.S. dollar soft loan to Belarus in order to implement joint projects.”
In addition, Belarus will also receive 70 million yuans (about 11 million U.S. dollars) as “a free grant”, he said.