GRODNO, Belarus, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Interregional cooperation between Belarus and China is showing broad prospects and moving toward a phase of more tangible and practical cooperation, Yuri Karayev, chairman of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.
The first Belarus-China Forum of Regions took place earlier this month in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, with the Grodno region among the organizers.
Karayev, who attended the forum, said the event demonstrated the vitality and effectiveness of cooperation between the two countries' regions and marked an important step in advancing subnational exchanges.
"The forum gave an important boost to the interregional cooperation between Belarus and China," he said. During the event, Grodno region signed 20 cooperation agreements with Chinese partners covering areas such as investment, trade, interregional collaboration, people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Grodno region and China's Gansu province established sister-region relations in 2007. Karayev spoke highly of the nearly two-decade partnership, saying that long-term mutual trust and close exchanges have laid a solid foundation for expanding cooperation in various fields.
The governor said the region's exports cover a wide range of sectors, with China being one of its major trading partners.
Grodno supplies China with high-quality raw materials and finished products, including polyamide, timber, rapeseed oil and beef. Meanwhile, traditional Belarusian goods such as dairy products, flax, crystal ware, natural juices and fruit purees have gained popularity among Chinese consumers, he added.
Karayev also highlighted Grodno's rich cultural heritage, saying the region's rich historical heritage, unique architecture and special atmosphere make it an attractive destination for international visitors.
Promoting tourism cooperation with China has become a priority for the region, Karayev said.
"To attract Chinese tourists, we plan to train Chinese-speaking guides, install Chinese-language signs at main tourist sites, and create travel routes tailored to the needs of Chinese guests," he said.
Karayev noted that the region's tourism service exports to China increased by 157.6 percent in 2025, reflecting growing interest and potential for further cooperation. ■