MINSK, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Friday voiced support for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and expressed his hope of actively developing relations with China.
In his yearly state of the nation address, Lukashenko said that China has become one of the most important trade partners of Belarus.
Belarus and China have celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the relationship with China is the most important factor in the development of Belarus' foreign policy in Asia, he said.
Last year, Lukashenko signed Presidential Decree No. 9 on developing relations with China, and strengthening cooperation in politics, economy, trade, finance and investment. Cooperation with China and the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative are listed as priority tasks for Belarus in the near future.
Lukashenko noted that the annual trade volume between Belarus and China exceeded 5.5 billion U.S. dollars. Besides, 20 companies from six countries came to the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park in 2021, and the work of high-tech enterprises in the park has opened up new development opportunities for Belarus.
Speaking about the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, Lukashenko blasted some Western countries for not sending officials to the games in Beijing, which brings the world back to the realities of the Cold War.
The president also voiced hope that athletes will get good results at the upcoming games. ■
