China and Belarus Pledge Deeper Industrial and Trade Ties

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin met Monday in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to strengthen bilateral ties during the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The leaders focused on aligning development strategies and maximizing the impact of their Agreement on Trade in Services and Investment.

Both officials discussed expanding cooperation in the digital economy, artificial intelligence, the green economy, and the automotive industry. As part of these efforts, they began planning for the Years of China-Belarus Industrial Cooperation. Li Qiang expressed support for Chinese investment in Belarus and requested that the Belarusian government maintain an open and transparent business environment for Chinese companies.

The meeting served as a precursor to the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations next year. The leaders reaffirmed their all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership and pledged to work together within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS to promote free trade and multilateralism.