Belarus eyes on strengthening ties with China

MINSK - Belarus shows big interest in strengthening mutually beneficial relations with China, Chairman of the Belarus-China Friendship Society Anatoly Tozik said on Wednesday.

Belarus and China are witnessing the best period in their bilateral relations which are gradually turning into strategic partnership, Tozik said at a meeting at the Minsk House of Friendship marking the 63rd anniversary of the foundation of the People's Republic of China.

"Belarus-China vibrant cooperation relies on common principles of the domestic and foreign policies and similar viewpoints on the most important issues of the international agenda. The countries build up confidential relations based on mutual respect and interest in each other," the official said.

A regular dialogue at the highest level plays a special role in successful development of bilateral relations, Tozik said.

Since Belarus and China established diplomatic relations 20 years ago, the bilateral trade has risen more than 100 times. China has become Belarus' fourth biggest trading partner and the biggest one in Asia. The trade volume hit a record of $3 billion in 2011.