Belarus to Europe, via China

"In addition to the plant, we will have a growing number of auto parts manufacturers. So our government has paid high attention to this project and is looking forward to its success," he said.

He said he hopes through the introduction of Geely, Chinese auto parts companies in Taizhou in Zhejiang province will set up factories in Belarus to sell locally produced auto parts to Russia.

To promote the development of auto parts manufacturers in Belarus, Geely has formed several joint ventures with Belarusian companies. Besides creating new jobs, these ventures produce and assemble relevant products, including auto engines, exhaust pipes, radiators and seats. The localization rate of production and assembly has reached 50 percent.

The Chinese-Belarusian automaker has assembled three third-generation refined automobile models, namely the Atlas (NL-3), a Geely flagship SUV, which is also known as Bo Yue in other markets, the Emgrand X7 (NL-4), another SUV of the Chinese brand, and the Emgrand 7 (FE-3), an affordable luxury sedan.

The Atlas went on sale in Russia in February in three versions－standard, comfort and luxury－at prices ranging from 1.05 million rubles ($15,678) to 1.41 million rubles.

In view of the strategic opportunities for development presented by the Belt and Road Initiative, privately-owned Chinese automotive brands should not seek to expand globally merely to sell more cars, said An Conghui, president of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, at the launch ceremony of the Atlas last year.

"Thinking about the long term, Geely has changed its idea of 'go-global' from simply exporting vehicles to developing a strategic global industrial layout of products, technologies, talents and capital.

"Based on this understanding, Geely has embraced a 'go-in' philosophy by leveraging its internal strengths, giving play to its comparative advantages, and participating deeply in local industrialization to develop a strategic global industrial layout," An said at the function.

In 2017, Geely Holding Group's sales rose 33 percent year-on-year to 278.2 billion yuan ($40 billion), with profit rising 61 percent to 18.8 billion yuan.

"We hope to achieve annual production and sales of 3 million vehicles by 2020 and become one of the world's top 10 automotive groups," said Song Zhaohuan, public relations director of Geely Holding Group.