Belarus, China sign set of cooperation agreements

MINSK, 23 August (BelTA) - Belarus and China have signed a series of documents revealing the potential for cooperation in trade, investment, development and deepening of industrial cooperation, scientific and technical interaction. The signing ceremony took place as part of the visit of Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang to Belarus on 22 August, BelTA has learned.

Belarus and China signed an intergovernmental agreement on trade in services and investment, providing for the creation of a free trade zone in services between the two countries, a transparent, liberal and favorable regime for attracting investment.

The two countries launched the year of cooperation between Belarus and China in science, technology and innovation and also the establishment of five centers, including the development of traditional Chinese medicine, cooperation in geological sciences, technology transfer of the SCO member states, and a branch of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus in China.

Five industrial projects worth about $1 billion were also launched. 12 more industrial projects worth $2 billion are under joint approval.

Two plans to deepen cooperation were signed between Minsk Oblast and Chongqing, and Mogilev Oblast and Shaanxi Province. The plan of cooperation with Chongqing includes the following projects: production of reagents and equipment for diagnostics, unmanned aerial vehicles, car seats, preparations of traditional Chinese medicine, assembly of industrial robots, integrated logistics. The second document defines the main areas of cooperation with Shaanxi Province until 2026, including in trade, economic and investment sectors, education and culture.

The meeting supported seven more similar plans for the joint development of the Chinese provinces and regions of Belarus.

The parties also signed an agreement on joint production and use of the film “For Ever and Ever” - the first ever Belarusian-Chinese agreement on joint film production.

A memorandum of cooperation with the China Media Group on the establishment of the Center of Chinese Books in the National Library of Belarus was also concluded.

The signed documents also included a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in green and low-carbon development between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China.