The Chinese Prime Minister 's visit to Russia and Belarus further affirms the increasingly close ties and cooperation between Beijing, Moscow, and Minsk.
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| Chinese Premier Li Qiang (left) and Russian Premier Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow, August 21. (Source: TASS) |
At the invitation of his Russian and Belarusian counterparts, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited the two countries from August 20-23 to strengthen political trust and promote cooperation.
Realizing the high-level agreement.
During his time in Russia, Premier Li Qiang co-chaired the 29th regular meeting with Russian Premier Mikhail Mishustin. The meeting focused on discussing the prospects for developing and expanding the partnership and cooperation between the two countries in the areas of economics , trade, geopolitical strategy, and addressing "important issues of mutual concern."
The regular meeting at the Prime Minister level between China and Russia is an important supplementary mechanism to the summit of high-level leaders of the two countries, which was launched in 1996. This includes five intergovernmental committees at the vice-prime minister level and 80 subcommittees and specialized working groups. Since then, the mechanism has contributed to promoting the implementation of agreements between the high-level leaders of the two countries, deploying practical cooperation, and strengthening effective people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Following the meeting, the two sides signed several intergovernmental and inter-ministerial documents in areas where the two countries have significant cooperation and common interests.
During the meeting with President Vladimir Putin, the two sides discussed measures to expand trade relations, strengthen energy cooperation, and explore new avenues for joint ventures. President Putin emphasized cooperation in the fields of petrochemicals and renewable energy, the automotive and aircraft industries, information technology, communications, and space.
Premier Li Qiang's visit to Russia marks the third high-level exchange between China and Russia this year, following meetings between General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin in May and July. In those two previous meetings, Xi Jinping and Putin outlined a new strategic plan for the development of bilateral relations. Premier Li Qiang affirmed that, with the joint efforts of both countries, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia in the new era will enter a bright future, overcoming the challenges of the international context.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. Premier Li Qiang shared that, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, the two countries have established a new model for their relationship (relationships between major neighboring countries). The current China-Russia relationship demonstrates close ties, strong political trust, effective and close cooperation, and renewed vitality in bilateral relations as well as on the international stage. In 2023, trade between China and Russia reached a record high of US$240.1 billion, making China Russia's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. In the first seven months of 2024, China-Russia trade increased by 1.6% year-on-year, reaching US$136.67 billion.
Confirming a reliable partnership.
Last year, President Alexander Lukashenko visited China twice and affirmed that Belarus is a "reliable partner" of China. This visit by Premier Li Qiang marks the first visit by a Chinese Premier to Belarus since 2007. The Chinese Prime Minister will hold talks with Premier Roman Golovchenko on bilateral relations and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, China and Belarus are comprehensive strategic partners under all circumstances. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992 and upgrading to a comprehensive strategic partnership under all circumstances in 2022, China-Belarus relations have maintained steady development. Belarus was one of the first countries to respond to and actively participate in Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative. In July 2024, Belarus became the 10th member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). China is currently Belarus's second-largest trading partner, and Belarus is one of China's fastest-growing trading partners in the Eurasian region. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, bilateral trade exceeded US$8.4 billion in 2023, a 67.3% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine issue, although China claims to be neutral, NATO member states consistently view China as a "decisive facilitator" in resolving the conflict. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged all parties involved in the Ukraine conflict to adhere to principles of de-escalation. Beijing has stated that it will continue to engage with the international community and promote the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine through negotiations and political solutions.
Against the backdrop of sanctions imposed by the US and the West to varying degrees and in different areas, the Chinese Prime Minister's visit to Russia and Belarus further affirms the increasingly close ties and cooperation between Beijing, Moscow, and Minsk.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-tuong-trung-quoc-cong-du-nga-va-belarus-tang-trao-doi-them-hop-tac-283481.html
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