“Belarus and China have Reached an Unprecedentedly High Level of Cooperation”

Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Belarus, and Colonel General Li Shangfu, Member of the CPC Central Military Commission, State Councilor, Minister of Defence of the People’s Republic of China, are holding a bilateral meeting in Minsk.

The heads of the defence ministries discuss topical issues of bilateral military cooperation and exchange views on the current situation in the international and regional agenda.

“Belarus and China have reached an unprecedentedly high level of cooperation,” said Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Belarus, during his bilateral meeting with Colonel General Li Shangfu, Member of the CPC Central Military Commission, State Councilor, Minister of Defence of the People’s Republic of China.

Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin:

— Belarus and China have reached an unprecedentedly high level of cooperation. Cooperation with China is one of the top priorities of the Belarusian foreign policy.

China is a friendly state that plays an important role in the world politics and is enhancing its authority and influence in the international arena.

Over 31 years of diplomatic relations, our countries have reached an unprecedentedly high level of cooperation. We have achieved an “all-weather and all-round strategic partnership” on the base of traditional friendship and mutual respect.

The close friendly relations between the leaders of our countries Aleksandr Lukashenko and Xi Jinping, the similarity of positions on the main issues on the international agenda are the basis for the development of cooperation in all spheres.

Our relations can become an example for many countries amid the changing but still crisis-prone situation in the world.

Despite external factors, the “all-weather” nature of relations makes it possible to move towards the creation of a “community of common interests and common destiny”.

These interests undoubtedly cover the main spheres of life of our states. Today, along with excellent prospects for the development of relations in trade, economic and scientific-technical spheres, we have opportunities and desire to expand bilateral military and military-technical cooperation.

I am convinced that your visit will contribute to strengthening partnership relations, friendship and mutual understanding between the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the People’s Liberation Army of China.