31 Aug 2009 11:35

Belarus promises support to Chinese investors

MINSK. Aug 31 (Interfax) - Belarus will give comprehensive support to joint projects with China on Belarusian territory, Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky told Chinese State Council Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu.

"Belarus is ready to continue assistance to Chinese partners," he said.

"The addition of the Chinese yuan to the Belarusian reserve assets will spur on bilateral trade and economic contacts," the Hui said.

"Our relations are characterized with an active political dialog, broadening trade, economic, credit, investment, scientific and technical contacts, and energetic cooperation in education, culture and sports," Sidorsky said.

Belarus-China trade doubled in three years to $2.2 billion in 2008, he said.

Belarus "views China as a priority of its foreign policy," he said.

Bilateral trade and economic cooperation "are gaining momentum despite the world financial crisis, and that is valuable," Hui said.

"Apart from strengthening the political dialog, trade and economic relations, it is necessary to build up humanitarian relations and thus strengthen traditional friendship between peoples," he said.

Sidorsky and Hui met in Minsk on Friday.