Belarus

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Belarus saw sound and steady growth of their relations, and fruitful results in their practical cooperation in various fields. The two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership in July.

The two sides enjoyed frequent high-level exchanges and growing political mutual trust. From 15 to 17 July, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko paid a state visit to China where he talked and met with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng separately. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached broad agreement on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues. The two heads of state announced the establishment of China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership. In March, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko sent a message of congratulations to Xi Jinping on being elected President of China. Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich sent a message of congratulations to Li Keqiang on being elected Premier of the State Council. Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Anatoly Rubinov and Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Vladimir Andreichenko sent a joint message of congratulations to Zhang Dejiang on being elected Chairman of the NPC. Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Vladimir Andreichenko and Foreign Minister Vladimir Mackay each sent a message of congratulations to Yu Zhengsheng on being elected Chairman of the CPPCC. In June, Belarusian President Lukashenko sent a message of congratulations to President Xi Jinping on the successful launch of "Shenzhou-10". From 3 to 7 June, Head of Administration of the President of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov visited China and had separate meetings with Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC Wang Qishan and Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee Ai Ping. From 20 to 27 October, Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Tozik attended the 14th meeting of the China-Belarus Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation in China and traveled to Chengdu for the 14th Western China International Fair. Vice Premier Wang Yang, Sichuan Provincial Governor Wei Hong and International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan met with Deputy Prime Minister Tozik separately. In December, Belarusian President Lukashenko sent a message of congratulations to President Xi Jinping on the successful landing of "Chang'e 3" on the moon. From 16 to 19 May, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Air Force General Xu Qiliang visited Belarus where he met and talked with Belarusian President Lukashenko, Prime Minister Myasnikovich and Defense Minister Yuri Zhadobin separately. From 4 to 5 September, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and Member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee Liu Yunshan visited Belarus where he met and talked with Belarusian President Lukashenko, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Rubinov and Head of Administration of the President of Belarus Kobyakov. China and Belarus supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and maintained close coordination in international organizations.

Practical cooperation between China and Belarus deepened. On 21 October, the China-Belarus Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation held its 14th meeting in Beijing. The project of three cement production lines and the phase I of the railway electrification project undertaken by Chinese companies in Belarus were successfully completed. Projects such as the China-Belarus Industrial Park and "Beijing Hotel" progressed smoothly. Provinces and cities including Guangdong Province, Heilongjiang Province and the city of Harbin strengthened exchanges with Belarus and promoted fruitful and practical sub-national cooperation between the two sides.